Sports Features of Thursday, 17 November 2011

Source: George Osei

Battle of the Giants in Accra

By George Osei

The Two biggest football clubs in the country Kumasi Asante Kotoko and Accra Hearts of Oak go head-to-head in Accra on Sunday in the top liner of the week seven Glo Premier League games.

A win for Kotoko will see them open a four point’s gap at the summit of the table and this is enough motivation for them to put up a determined performance at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Hearts on the other hand will leap frog their opponents to the top spot a position they surrounded in the last round of games after losing to Ebusua Dwarfs at Cape Coast.
Games between these two sides have known no form guide in years gone by and some pundits have said this one will follow a similar pattern.
Kotoko are the form team going into Sunday’s game and their fans are highly optimistic that they will record a win over their bitterest rivals after 90 munities.
They are unbeaten in the league so far and have scored the most goals with their strike pair of Ahmed Toure and Nathaniel Asamoah being on form in the six games they have played together.
The two are expected to pose a major treat to Hearts’ challenge of recording a win in this encounter which is the biggest game in Africa this weekend.
Hearts have the best defence in the league so far having let in two goals from their six games and much would be required of them if they are to keep Kotoko from scoring.
It is expected to be a highly contested affair with neither side prepared to drop points. How both set of players handle the early nerves and the late pressure, could be a deciding factor in determining the result.
In other games, Champions Berekum Chelsea has a tricky assignment at Bekwai where they play New Edubiase United at the Nana Gyamfi Park.
United are very strong at home and it would take a determined performance from the Blues to return to Berekum with a point.
Ebusua Dwarfs are one of two teams still unbeaten after six games and they will be in confident mood when the make the short trip from Cape Coast to Sekondi to face Wassaman United.
United are next to bottom on the ladder and will need to deplore their entire arsenal if they are to overcome the visiting team.
A fierce regional derby is in store for Berekum fans when Arsenal hosts Aduana Stars at the Golden City Park. The Gunners are deep in the relegation zone and will need to win this game to better their chances.
Ashantigold SC and Tema Youth also need the three points to move up on the table with their clash at the Len Clay Stadium looking very dicey.
Medeama SC will be the odds on favourites to collect the three points when they make the trip to Bechem to confront a Bechem United side that is winless this season.
Heart of Lions and Liberty Professionals will square off at the Kpando Park in a game that is expected to thrill as both sides like to put the ball on the ground.
Tudu Mighty Jets and Wa All Stars will set the weekend rolling with a tricky tie at the Tema Park on Saturday afternoon.