Soccer News of Friday, 16 May 2003

Source: gna

Kotoko set to roar again

Porcupine Warriors, Kumasi Asent Kotoko are set to roar again when they confront Mont Cameroon in the second stage of the African Cup Winners Cup qualifier tie at the Douala on Sunday.

The last year's runners-up who left Accra by road to Togo where they connected to the central Africans territory are bent on registering an impressive start in their quest to annex the trophy this year after narrowly missing it last year.

Kotoko who have exhibited splendid form since the beginning of the year have whatever it takes to tame opponent who have less experience at the continental level.

Having broken ar long standing myth by defeating RTU 1-0 in their unfriendly and hostile backyard, it is obvious that Kotoko are definitely on course for victory if they are able to carry that into the continental scene.

With the new breed of sensational players like Michael Asante, Edmund Owusu Ansah and old fold Stephen Oduro holding the fort in the midfield together with speed-star Michael Osei doing the usual running on the flanks, the Ghanaians, though playing away looked favourites.

The Osei-Krom lads have the ability to scoring away from home during their last year's campaign and indications are that a similar strategy would be adopted for the team to move forward as it did last year.

Again Kotoko who seemed to be enjoying a new team spirit under the new Interim Management Board (IMC) would not only use experience but would apply new formations taught them by the "Golden boy" coach Abdul Razak who coached Star De Malen in the lucrative CAF Championship league last year.

Obviously the Golden boy must be familiar with the terrene in Africa and would map up a strategy to work in favour of the Ghanaians who are expected to be joined by their top striker Isaac Boakye from Germany where he was reported to have score three goals in as many matches during trials.

Though the fabulous boys looked the favourite, underrating the well built Munt Cameroon team could spell disaster for them as their opponents are noted to be a tough side.

But all things being equal, the reds shirted boys are capable of making Ghana proud as they can ride on their zeal and hunger for success in far away Cameroon.