League Report of Thursday, 3 November 2005

Source: Ghanaian Chronicle

Will Kotoko Seal It On the Home Stretch?

KUMASI ASANTE Kotoko would clinch their 20th national championship on Sunday, if they overcome Real Tamale United (RTU) at the Kaladan Park, with one round of matches still to play.

The Pocupines lead their archrivals, Hearts of Oak by four points and need only a win in their last two games to record their second win in the premiership in three years.

They however face a daunting task in Tamale, where visiting teams hardly come away with a point. RTU are unbeaten at home this season and had dominated their last six encounters with the Reds at home, winning four with a draw and a loss to boast off.

Kotoko's championship celebrations could be put on hold for another week at least, if what RTU says about this game comes true.

They are eying a spot at next years Top Four competition and have promised to beat Kotoko on Sunday in a game they have tasked a 'do and die' affair.

Kotoko, though know what will befall them if they go down in Tamale and have themselves promised to go for a win to make next Sunday's clash with Arsenal a mere formality as they would have already clinched the deal.

Hearts of Oak will pray that Kotoko falter at Tamale while they (Hearts) beat Hotspurs in Accra.

The Phobians suffered a painful 0-2 loss at Tema last Sunday at the hands of Power FC, to throw the league challenge to the Kumasi lads.

Hotspurs are caught in a fierce relegation struggle and would prove quiet stubborn for the Pobians. It would however be interesting to see how Hearts can pick themselves up from last Sundays defeat to take on the threat from Spurs.

Life at the bottom is a fierce one indeed, as Okwawu United, Dwarfs, Heart of Lions and Hasaacas are fighting to avoid the drop.

Hasaacas can lift themselves up on the ladder if they can beat Bofoakwa Tano at the Sekondi Gyandu Park. With only one defeat at home this season, the Sekondi lads are favoured to post this all-important win.

Cape Coast Dwarfs are however caught in a very difficult web at Obuasi as they face AshantiGold. The miners defeated them 1-0 in Cape Coast in their first round encounter and can do so agian.

Okwawu United are in a similar situation as they face Asernal at Berekum. The Gunners are in the running for a top four finish and would go all out to preserve their unbeaten home run this season.

Another of the relegation candidates Heart of Lions, trek to Kumasi to face the might of King Fiasal, who lost the Kumasi derby to Kotoko last Sunday. They would be out to redeem themselves and despite the expected stubborness that Lions would prove, Fiasal should be able to come clean in this fixture.

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After their first ever win against Hearts in the premiership last Sunday, Power FC would be in high spirits as they trek to Swedru to confront Fetteh Feyenoord. The academy boys were too hot for Power to handle at Tema in round one and can repeat the 1-0 success they posted in that game.

Tema Real Sportive, have by far been the most improved side this season and they will seek to continue with their surprising run with a win over Liberty Professionals at the Tema Park. Professionals have not lived up to their billing this season and would not have an easy game at Tema despite the 1-0 win they posted in Accra on match day two.