Soccer News of Thursday, 7 May 2009

Source: GNA

Kotoko to redeem image on Sunday

Kumasi, May 7, GNA - Kumasi Asante Kotoko F/C will on Sunday seek to make amends in the Glo Premier League as they pitch their strength against Kessben F/C in a local derby on Sunday at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.

The 17th week fixture promises to be uncompromising in all departments of the game against the backdrop of the fact that a loss for Kotoko would further dampen the morale of the 'Porcupine Warriors' in their bid to make an impact in this year's league.

Kotoko was dealt a big blow last Sunday when they were beaten 2-1 by Gamba All Blacks of Swedru in their 16th week encounter, bringing to six the number of matches the Porcupine Warriors had lost so far since the commencement of the league.

The embattled Kotoko coach Isaac 'Opeele' Boateng has insisted that in spite of the dismal performance of his team in the league, all was not lost and that Kotoko was determined to come back strongly. He appealed to the supporters not to sabotage the team when the going gets tough but continue to rally behind them to achieve the needed results.

The two teams are not faring all that well on the league table with Kotoko lying on the fourth position with 24 points whilst Kessben lie at the ninth with 22 points.

In their first leg encounter, Kessben pipped Kotoko 1-0 at the Anane Boateng Stadium at Abrankese and would be looking forward to consolidating on that performance as the two teams lock horns in the second leg on Sunday.

"I'm not in the position to predict the outcome of our match against Kotoko but I am optimistic that Kessben would come out with a respectable score line at the end of the day", Bashiru Hayford, Head Coach of Kessben told the GNA Sports in Kumasi ahead of the match. 07 May 09