Can Adjei Pele pass his first major assignment?

Accra, Dec. 14, GNA - Soccer Mountaineers, Okwawu United seem have gone through a difficult season this year after placing seventh in the just ended Zonal Premier league which is compelling them to engage in a play-off to determine their fate in the Premiership.

The club, after struggling to amass some points in their zone, experienced a nightmare when the GFA's Disciplinary Committee deducted five points from their points build-up as a result of crowd violence at the Mpraeso Brighton's Park in a league match against Real Tamale United (RTU). The club had since then had difficulties in the league and only managed a seventh place in the zone to secure them the play-off ticket. As the Club gears up to face Sekondi Hasaacas at the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium, the onus will be on the newly appointed coach, Adjei Pele to affirm the trust and confidence reposed in him by the Management Board that appointed him.

Having taken over from the dismissed J.E Sarpong, the coach, no doubt will be under huge pressure to succeed in his first game against the Westerners, which will determine the fate of the club in the elite league.

The output of the playing body as well as the result will indicate whether he is the right man for the job or not, having just been in charge for at least two weeks now.

In an attempt to present a strong team on Sunday, the coach is reported to have invited the likes of Eddie Acquaye, Mohammed Polo, Thomas Avergbodo and other players who fell out with the former coach leading to their exit but the new coach is hoping to rely on the prodigal boys to past his first assignment.

Whether he will be able to succeed or not remains the only answered question since Hasaacas have enjoyed a good run at the nations' Wembley this season having shared honours with Accra Hearts of Oak and picking the three maximum points at the jaws of Liberty Professionals in the Premiership.

Should Hasaacas be able to maintain the level of performances they displayed against the two Accra clubs, the Mountaineers then might have their desires of gaining the automatic slot turning into a mirage. Okwawu however have no doubts in their minds that they are coming out victorious as echoed by their Board Secretary, Mr Oduro Nyarko.

"We have put in place the needed preparations for the game and there is no way Hasaacas will survive on Sunday" Mr Nyarko told the GNA Sports.

The Westerners however have a psychological warfare to overcome as most of their players are reported to be on the hit list of some of the top clubs in the country, therefore, officials of the club have to put the players into the right frame of mind set to deliver the goods. Putting into considerations the strength and challenges ahead of both teams, one can expect nothing but an interesting game which will see each of the sides battling for survival.

The journey will not come to an end for the loser of the match since the club would have a chance of making an attempt in another play off against the third placed team in the National Middle League next year.