Soccer News of Monday, 19 January 2004

Source: GNA

New fixtures for Coca cola Top Four Tourney

Accra, Jan 19, GNA - Following the re-admission of Kumasi Asante Kotoko to participate in the lucrative Coca Cola Top Four competition, the organizers, the Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA), has released new fixtures scheduled to kick-start on Wednesday, January 21, at the Accra and Kumasi Sports Stadia.

Asante Kotoko readmission was sealed on Friday after between the organizers and the Paul Victor Obeng-led Board of Kotoko. Asante Kotoko had earlier pulled out of the competition because the organizers, GHALCA, could not meet their astronomical demand of 400 million cedis appearance fee plus 50 per cent of the gate proceeds. Berekum Arsenals, which placed fifth at the end of the league, were subsequently asked to replace Kotoko for the month-long fiesta scheduled to have kicked off last week.

This new twist no doubt, angered Hearts, which threatened to pull out should Kotoko be re-admitted, and Arsenals warned to take legal action against GHALCA.

But after last Friday's meeting, the seemingly feuding parties agreed that Kotoko, Hearts, King Faisal and Liberty should play while Arsenals take a backstage.

Below are the fixtures for the six-week competition, which ends on February 15.

ROUND 1

Wed Jan 21 Hearts V King Faisal Accra

Wed Jan 21 Kotoko V Liberty Kumasi

Sun Jan 25 Liberty V Hearts Accra

Sun Jan 25 King Faisal V Kotoko Kumasi

Sun Feb 1 Hearts V Kotoko Accra

Sun Feb 1 King Faisal V Liberty Kumasi

ROUND 2

Sun Feb 8 Liberty V Kotoko Accra

Sun Feb 8 King Faisal V Hearts Kumasi

Wed Feb 11 Hearts V Liberty Accra

Wed Feb 11 Kotoko V King Faisal Kumasi

Sun Feb 15 Liberty V King Faisal Accra

Sun Feb 15 Kotoko V Hearts Kumasi