Soccer News of Monday, 25 June 2012

Source: GNA

Chelsea-Kotoko for President's Cup

League Champions, Kumasi Asante Kotoko will have yet another opportunity to add another trophy to their cabinet when they come up against Berekum Chelsea in the President’s Cup billed for the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday.

The ‘Porcupine Warriors’ who lost on penalties to Chelsea in the last edition at the same venue have been gifted a chance to carry out a revenge mission and to redeem their image in the annual meeting designed to honour sitting Presidents every July 1.

Kotoko after losing on penalties last year, refused to accept their medals presented by Vice President John Dramani Mahama but this time round when they line up on Sunday in search of the trophy they claim they lost controversially to Chelsea, the story will be different according Jerry Asare, Kotoko’s Accra Representative.

He told GNA Sports, "it means a lot to us to have been given yet another opportunity to rewrite the script. The unfortunate accident will not repeat itself and that is a promise."

Asare said, "we know Chelsea will need such games to prepare the team, especially for their Africa campaign against Zamalek. For this reason, we will give them the opportunity to build their team as they seek to honour the nation with their participation in the continental event.

"Similarly, we are getting ready to participate in the Champion’s League and we yearn to use such games to build our team for the competition. We will give it our all."

Nana Oduro Sarfo, Chelsea’s Accra Representative, however reiterated the Club’s resolve to retain the trophy they won last year, insisting "we are poised to repeat the dose by lifting the Cup to serve as a motivation for the game against the North Africans next week."

He admonished Kotoko to be good losers on Sunday and not repeat last year’s 'walk off' which saw the latter apologizing to the Vice President days on.

The game will witness two curtain raisers involving the various supporters groups against the media with the Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA) locking horns with the Parliamentarians team.

Both teams will receive medals with the winner getting an additional plush trophy donated by the Ministry of Youth and Sports.**