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Kotoko to deepen Hasaacas’ woes
Preview: Jerome Otchere
Besides Accra’s most glamorous clubs, Hearts of Oak and Great Olympics, one other club that is struggling to find its feet in the Onetouch Premier League this season is Giants of the West, Sekondi Hasaacas.
Though they are yet to lose at home, Hasaacas are second from bottom with 23 points after twenty-three matches. An average of one point per match certainly cannot be good enough for the Western Giants.
As they clash with Asante Kotoko at the Essipong Stadium on Wednesday evening, there is no doubt that Hasaacas will record their biggest attendance this season.
However, there is no certainty that they will go home with the three maximum points at stake. In the eleven home matches they have played since December 2007, they have won six and drawn five. The indication is that even in their worse form, the Western Giants have been quite strong at home.
As to whether or not they will suffer their first home defeat at the hands of Kotoko will be known be known at the match on Wednesday.
Matches between the two clubs have often been thrilling. In spite of the apparent poor form and unimpressive performances exhibited by Hasaacas, supporters of both sides can expect an interesting football match at the imposing Essipong Stadium.
In the first round match, Hasmal played a determined game. They almost secured a draw. Yet, two goals from former Hasaacas defender, Samuel Inkoom and Francis Akwaffo sealed a 2-1 victory for Kotoko.
Samuel Inkoom and Francis Akwaffo, whose goals propelled Kotoko to victory at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in the first leg, are still in good form. The two, along with their colleagues have promised to deepen the woes of the Western Giants this afternoon.
Samuel Inkoom for example told Kotoko Express on Monday that there would be nothing like sympathy for his former club. He said as a professional player, he would be out to do his work.
“The fact that I once played for Hasaacas does not mean I shouldn’t score against them. I scored one goal against them in the first round. This is football. Anything can happen. I promise that if the chance drops I will repeat the dose once again”.
From all indications, the stakes will be high for both teams. Hasaacas urgently need a win to keep alive their hopes of moving out of the relegation zone. Kotoko on the other hand may not need a win badly. However, for a team that has been largely impressive from the start of the season, it is natural that the Porcupine Warriors will love to add the presently sleeping Giants of the West to their list of victims in the second round of this season.
If not for anything, Kotoko must win to consolidate their position on the Premier League table. Kotoko starts as favourites but they must guard against complacency.
They must also put their house in order. Against King Faisal last Sunday, the club’s central defence was not compact. The spectacle of blunders witnessed in central defence, one of which saw Faisal’s Basit Ibrahim scoring must not be repeated against Hasaacas.
Apart from that, Kotoko’s attackers should endeavour to utilise their chances. It behooves on Coaches Bashir Hayford and Johnson Smith to come out with strategies that will effectively counter the tactics of Hasaacas.
Jordan Opoku will miss today’s match because of a thigh injury. That should not present any headache to Coach Bashir Hayford at the time Stephen Oduro is proving his worth and young midfielder Mark Sekyere, itching for action.
Hasaacas may be down but they are certainly not out. With relegation staring at them closely, the Western Giants will move heaven and earth to ensure victory.
The Porcupine Warriors therefore need not be reminded of the serious approach and tactics the home team will adopt to win.
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