NC Special Competition: Kotoko, Ashgold clash today...as Hearts aim to bounce back

After their 3-0 thrashing of Techiman XI Wonders on Sunday, Kumasi Asante Kotoko will return to their Baba Yara Sports Stadium fortress today to ignite their regional derby with Ashantigold SC in their top matchday four Northern sector clash of the special Normalisation Committee (NC) league.

At the same time, the ‘Fabulous’ lads aim to sustain their scoring formula to maintain their grip on the Northern sector table, their fierce rivals in the Southern sector, Hearts of Oak will be dreaming of halting their bad run with a heavy defeat of whipping boys of the tournament, Ebusua Dwarfs when they clash at the Accra Sports Stadium today.

The two traditional teams may be in separate divisions but their fortunes in the special competition have already set their fans against each other ahead of hopeful final or semifinal showdown for the sole slot for the CAF Champions League competition.

With the unpredictable nature of the competition, one would expect their fans to be preoccupied with deeds in their respective teams but it appears that has not been the case.

Kotoko fans mocked their Hearts counterparts when they suffered the first defeat to Elmina Sharks only for the Phobians to repeat that gesture when Kotoko tasted their first and only defeat in the hands of Medeama at Tarkwa.

It, therefore, looks like a match day for the Phobians to smile because their clash with Dwarfs looks relatively easier while Kotoko would surely be in a match of their lives.

The ‘Miners’ are in a good patch of form to face the Porcupine Warriors who would come face to face with their former players, Saddick Adams and Eric Donkor.

Technically, they looked very solid and thwarted the efforts of Aduana Stars in their previous game and could pose a similar challenge to Kotoko who would also have to up their game, especially in the attacking areas because the ‘Miners’ may employ a tactic similar to what was on display at Dormaa.

For Hearts, Coach Kim Grant has been emphatic about sticking to his attacking philosophy, but the focus would slightly shift to the attackers who have been very wasteful in the two defeats so far.

Dwarfs would surely be in trouble if the Phobians find their rhythm but in their nature to cause big surprises, Dwarfs cannot be underestimated before the tie.

Another big clash will be witnessed in the Northern sector group between Chelsea and Aduana Stars at the Golden City Park in Berekum while Medeama SC host Bechem United at the T&A Park in Tarkwa.

In the rest of the Southern sector clashes, Elmina Sharks will storm the capital after their giant-killing feat over Hearts to face Liberty Professionals at their Dansoman abode.

At Tema, Inter Allies will host Dreams FC while Karela FC travels to Sogakope to face the might of WAFA.