Kotoko players
Asante Kotoko are set to make their dominance over Bechem United count on Wednesday at the Baba Yara stadium in the matchday ten of the Normalization Special Cup to recapture the first position in Zone A.
Having relinquished the top position a week ago, the second-placed Porcupines – who were not in matchday nine action on Sunday – will recapture top spot with a home win to sixth-placed Bechem United if the Yellow and Mauves fall at home to Ashanti Gold, who are fourth on the table.
The Porcupine Warriors have decided to add salt to the Hunters’ injury with a victory after picking one point at the difficult Golden City Park fortnights ago when they drew with 0-0 with Berekum Chelsea.
They hope to maintain their unbeaten form in six games before they travel to Obuasi for the intriguing regional derby against Ashanti Gold this weekend.
Bechem United, on the other hand, have also targeted an upset against the Porcupine Warriors to redeem themselves from their 2-0 defeat suffered at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium to Aduana Stars last weekend.
Kotoko will like to improve on their recent form after picking up a vital point at the Golden City Park against Berekum Chelsea in matchday eight. The Porcupine are lying on the second position on the log, What is more, they are seven points ahead of the Hunters who have one win out of eight games.
Currently two points apart, a Kotoko triumph and a Medeama draw, on the other hand, will see the new leaders determined by goal difference.
Bechem United have lost three of their last eight matches. They will need loads of hard work to march Kotoko’s momentum at home, which is steadily rising. The Porcupines have scored nine goals in seven matches and have conceded just two. That relatively good record is something Kotoko will build on. Thus, the fabulous lads are bent on crashing Bechem this Wednesday.
Kotoko have been boosted by the return of striker Songne Yacouba who has started training with the team after a four-week injury layoff as well as Stephen Nyarko and Collins Ameyaw who had a slight injury in their game against Berekum Chelsea and they will be available for selection on Wednesday should Coach C.K. Akonnor decides to field them.
However, the Porcupines are still missing Maxwell Baakoh, and Richard Senanu who have been out of the team for some time now. Coach Akonnor has the chance to pick his best performers. He might well stick to the team that drew against Berekum Chelsea.
Bechem United, on the other hand, have been boosted by the return of experienced goalkeeper, Prince Asempa who has been out of the team for some time now and danger man, Kojo Owusu Achiaw who was rested in the game against Aduana Stars last Sunday. Captain, Emmanuel Boakye, Opoku Douglas, Seth Sowah and Charles Mensah are doubtful for this trip as they will be assessed by the team’s physiotherapist tomorrow morning on whether they will be available for the game or not.
Although Kotoko have to be wary of complacency since that could be their undoing, the team clearly starts as favourites and with the confidence of highly-rated goalkeeper, Felix Annan and star-performer, Abdul Fatawu attracting headlines in Kotoko’s recent games, Bechem United have a daunting hill to climb because the duo surely will lift their game to once again propel the team.
Elsewhere in the zone, Berekum Chelsea, who lost 2-1 to Ashanti Gold on Sunday, will seek to make amends with all three points when they host Eleven Wonders, whose 2-1 win over Medeama same day ensured that the Yellow and Mauves could not stretch their lead over Kotoko atop the table.
In Zone B, leaders Hearts of Oak will hope to make it four successive wins in their home tie against fifth-positioned Liberty Professionals at Accra Sports Stadium.
Karela United, only one point adrift of the Phobians, aim to keep up the chase with a win in their visit of Tema-based and bottom-placed Inter Allies.
At Sogakope, third-placed Wafa will want to get back to winning ways when they host second-from-bottom Dreams FC, following their humiliating 4-0 reversal to Hearts of Sunday.
In the final game, hosts Elmina Sharks will square off against sixth-positioned Ebusua Dwarf at Nduom Sports Stadium. Sharks, who have won three games thus far, occupy the fourth position.
