Ashgold for vengeance against Kotoko in SWAG Cup

Accra, Dec 14, GNA - There appears to be nothing than revenge on the minds of players and officials of Obuasi Ashantigold as they face regional rivals, Kumasi Asante Kotoko for the 2006 Sports Writers Association of Ghana's, (SWAG) H.P. Nyemitei Cup at the Len Clay Sports stadium in their back yard.

Kotoko who torpedoed Ashgold from the top of the Premier League table after inflicting a painful one win over them at Cape Coast in their week 12th fixture thanks to a Micheal Ofosu Appiah's first half strike will have to push their endurance level to the limit to achieve the much needed victory.

With that defeat fresh on the minds of the Miners, they appear ready to go heaven and earth to show Kotoko who is the new force in Ghana football come Sunday.

Ashgold's Chief Executive Officer, Kudjoe Fianoo is banking on the SWAG Cup for his second silver of the year after the Mangoung Arts and Cultural Festival (MACUFE) Cup was annexed in South Africa earlier in the season.

Kudjoe Fianoo has subsequnetly promised to give the 'Fabulous lads' a good run for their money by parading a full strength side in his quest to give the game the needed attention it deserves. His Technical Director, David Duncan has also promised to pay Kotoko back in their own coin for smashing his team's then unbeaten record in the league and are out to prove that their qualification for next years CAF Champions League was no fluke.

Even though Asgold will be missing the services of joint lead striker, Alex Asamoah on national duty with the Black Meteors, there are some equally good players to fill the vacuum created by his absence. They are hoping to rely on the youthful exuberance of Alhaji Sanni, Yaw Sarpong, Sadiq Adams and Mubarak Wakasoo coupled with the experince of Emmanuel Osei Kuffour, Anthony Baffoe and Valentine Atem to snatch the trophy from their regional rivals.

Kotoko, the defending champions of the SWAG Cup are also confident of victory to become the only side to have won the annual event three times in succession.

The 91Porcupine Warriors' cannot afford to underrate the Miners who beat them twice to the trophy in the early nineties.

Kotoko's coach, Tellat Uzum will be seeking for his first silver ware since assuming his new position and will also rely on the leading marksman, Kwame Obeng Darko and his colleagues to achieve that feat. The organisers, have according to the terms concluded terms with the two clubs who have promised to entertain soccer fans with a very competitive game.

Kotoko beat Agazza Omnispoort of Togo 2-1 in last year's edition of the competition which is in memory of the late Henry Plange Nyemitei, one time Director of the State Insurance Company (SIC) and a Patron of SWAG.