|
Kotoko storms Golden City Park Today
Posted: 12/03/08, 0:20 GMT
Preview by: Jerome Otchere
A herculean task awaits Kumasi Asante Kotoko today at the Golden City Park where the team faces Berekum Arsenal in a match day 14th fixture of the Onetouch Premier League. On account of last Sunday’s goalless drawn game against Hearts, it is now clear that Kotoko’s ‘Operation 40 points’ campaign will not be achievable. There is however more to play for with thirty-two points and two games left in the first round.
The option left for Kotoko is to win the six maximum points to consolidate its first position on the league table. As Kotoko faces the Gunners at Berekum, it should not be in doubt about what to expect. Coach Bashir Hayford’s words summarises the mood in camp. “We played well against Hearts. They were a drowning team and I was not surprised that they faced us with all their strength. We were better than them anyway. We expect a big challenge in Berekum. We know it will be difficult but we have no option than to win” the coach said in a post match interview.
It is good that the team has vowed to vent their spleen on the Gunners and fight for the three points at stake. The Golden City Park has not been a favourable ground for Kotoko in the last couple of years. Last season, the club played under loads of intimidation and eventually lost 2-0. The story about intimidation is unlikely to change. What will count for Kotoko is its impressive form not forgetting the fact that the only match Kotoko has lost this season was to Ashantigold at the Golden City Park.
Coach Bashir Hayford is not perturbed by that as he indicated that Kotoko was confident of victory. Berekum Arsenal’s performance this season has been impressive. They occupy the fourth position on the league table with 22 points having won six matches at home. It is not beyond Kotoko to break the home invincibility of the Gunners. However, that will come with great sweat. Clearly, Kotoko will have to work hard for victory.
In goal, Kotoko can still trust in the agility of Soulama Abdoulaye. The Burkina be made some outstanding saves against Hearts of Oak. Soulama has conceded just four goals in thirteen matches – three at home and one away. This goes to suggests that he has even been better away. When given the chance against the Gunners, Soulama Abdoulaye will live up to expectation. There is no gainsaying the fact that Kotoko’s defence worked tirelessly in the Hearts match.
Defenders Samuel Inkoom and Harrison Afful were in their best shape in Sunday’s match. They outran their markers with their pace and creativity. Prince Anokye and Richard Manu on the other hand combined effectively. Coach Bash is likely to maintain Sunday’s defensive quartet. If he does that, one thing Samuel Inkoom, Harrison Afful, Richard Manu and Prince Anokye must note is that any slip on their part will be costly.
If there is any aspect of Kotoko’s game plan that must quickly change, it is the wing-play. Both Francis Akwaffo and Prince Amponsah were unimpressive against Hearts. Substitutes Nana Arhin-Duah and Ofosu Amoah were however brilliant. It is expected that Coach Bash will rest Prince Amponsah and at best start Francis Akwaffo from the bench. Jordan Opoku and Daniel Nii Adjei have been remarkable. They will certainly be up for selection for Wednesday’s action.
Like the defenders, Daniel Nii Adjei and Jordan Opoku must play above themselves. Kotoko’s attack has been the best since the league started though the strikers did not score in the last match. Eric Bekoe was marked by Dan Coleman even beyond reason. That does not explain why there was no goal for Kotoko but on the evidence of what Eric Bekoe experienced on Sunday, Coach Bash has no choice than to make Eric Bekoe a little more efficient than he has been in the previous games.
The Kotoko coach must probably review Bekoe’s potency in the initial stages of the competition and find effective tactical plans to make him highly efficient in the face of stiff opposition. Against Heart of Lions and Hearts of Oak, Eric Bekoe was expertly checked. In tomorrow’s game, the same situation might be witnessed. Thus it is up to Coach Bash and of course Eric Bekoe to come up with innovative ways of proving his worth.
Coach Bash must as well take a serious look at his striking partnership and the total output of the choices he settles on. Kwadwo Poku and Nana Arhin-Duah will still be a force to reckon to with if given the chance, but again Eric Bekoe must function in tomorrow’s game. In end, expect the Gunners to be as strong as ever but anyone who writes Kotoko off does that at his own peril.
|
