Liberty to deepen Kotoko’s woes Techiman City host Hearts
Kumasi Asante Kotoko’s fall from grace faces a critical test on Sunday as they seek to bounce back from their recent poor form at the expense of Liberty Professionals at the Baba Yara Stadium on Sunday.
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The Porcupine Warriors have been in the news this week for all the bad reasons, following their drop to the bottom spot of the league table and the decision by the club’s management to hand the team over to deputy coach Michael Osei, leaving substantive coach David Duncan with the prospect of losing his job.
It is the expectation of the Kotoko management that their experiement with a caretaker coach proves successful, with Liberty providing Osei his first challenge in lifting Kotoko from the relegation zone.
Osei managed to lead Kotoko to the final of the GHALCA-organised G6 tourney but on Sunday his side face a tough game against a confident Liberty side buoyed by a 5-1 thumping of Ashantigold at Dansoman.
Kotoko have won most of their previous clashes in Kumasi, except for the 3-3 draw three seasons ago, but the Scientific Soccer lads, led in attack by Latif Blessing, would be looking to capitalise on the disappointing form and low morale in the camp of Kotoko, who will be under pressure from their home fans to win at all cost.
Another potentially tough encounter comes off at Techiman where Accra Hearts of Oak play as guests of Techiman City FC, whose president Charles Kojo Ntim (Micky Charles), has began the mind games by suggesting the Phobians must be checked for possible doping.
Hearts, who lost the top spot on the league log to Wa All Stars, have a tough game on hand as the Techiman lads have won all three home games and even drew 2-2 away to New Edubiase United last Sunday.
After losing his first game of the season, Coach Kenichi Yatsuhashi promised to get down to work and Sunday’s game is another a test of character for his charges who still have the firepower to force sixth-placed Techiman City to drop their first point at home.
In other matches, Inter Allies will host Bechem United at the Tema Stadium; league leaders Wa All Stars lock horns with Ebusua Dwarfs at the Wa Park.
WAFA will welcome New Edubiase United to the Sogakope Park, Dreams FC trek to Obuasi to play Ashgold, while Berekum Chelsea host Aduana Stars at the Golden City Park.
Sekondi Hasaacas will host Medeama SC at the Essipon Stadium.