Kotoko to turn heat on Medeama
Two teams which experienced contrasting fortunes in African club competitions last Sunday — Medeama SC and Kumasi Asante Kotoko — clash at the Tarkwa T&A Park in the pick of three outstanding First Capital Plus Premier League games tomorrow.
While Medeama coasted to a 4-1 aggregate victory over Panthers FC to progress in the CAF Confederation Cup, Kotoko were stunned by Liberian Minnows, Barrack Young Controllers (BYC), 1-0 in Monrovia, leading to a 2-2 aggregate and the Porcupine Warriors’ exiting via the away goal rule.
Kotoko appear to be in disarray since the loss, with allegations of bribery levelled by fans of the club against Burkinabe goalie, Soulama Abdoulaye, but Coach Mas-Ud Didi Dramani dispels the negativity surrounding the club by repeating the 4-1 thumping they recorded in the reverse league fixture last season to burst Medeama’s bubble.
Medeama are currently off the pace in the First Capital Plus Premier League in eighth place with 22 points, but just like leaders Kotoko, they have two games in hand heading into the big clash tomorrow.
However, Medeama’s Brazilian trainer, Carlos Roberto Paulette, has other ideas as he hopes to start his league tenure on a winning note after jumping ship from King Faisal during the break last month.
Kotoko statistically start as favourites, having won nine out of a total of 14 games played between the two sides, drawing three times and losing twice.
But with Theophilus Anobaah, Hans Coffie and Kennedy Boateng leading the Medeama attack in front of an intimidating home crowd, Medeama can ride on their continental success to rub salt into Kotoko’s injury.
Elsewhere at the Robert Mensah Stadium in Cape Coast, relegation-threatened Ebusua Dwarfs, fresh from eliminating Senegalese powerhouse, ASC Diaraaf, from the Confederation Cup, will be inspired to defeat visiting New Edubiase United.
At the Carl Reindorf Park at Dansoman, Liberty Professionals battle CAF Champions League hopefuls, Berekum Chelsea, who are scheduled to arrive from Sudan today after eliminating Atlabara.
