Narrow 0-1 defeats suffered by both Accra Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante Kotoko to Kpando Heart of Lions and Ashantigold respectively in their GHALCA Top 4 encounters at the weekend seem to have thrown the competition open and put pressure on the traditional giants in their quest to win the ultimate prize on Sunday.
This afternoon, both Hearts and Kotoko will seek to overturn their first leg defeats in the reverse fixtures in Accra and Obuasi. Hearts take on Lions while Ashgold welcome the Premier League and FA Cup holders to the Len Clay Stadium.
After last Saturday’s loss to Lions, Hearts coach Herbert Addo blamed his players for wasting scoring opportunities which gave the Kpando side a head start in the season-opening competition.
“Who should be blamed for our defeat if the players fail to translate the techniques at training into goals on the field of play and squander the numerous chances created?” he asked.
As Hearts and Lions square up in the second leg clash this afternoon in Accra, pressure will be on Coach Addo to turn things around to pacify the fans and make a statement of intent for the coming season.
The task to get Hearts back on track in the competition will not only fall on strikers Odupong Wellington and Gilbert Fiamenyo but also be shared by defenders Robin Gnagne and Owusu Bempah, and midfielders Winful Cobinnah, Ashitey Ollenu and Moro Abubakar.
However, Lions have high ambitions and are hungry for honours, and last Saturday’s victory provided the right psychological boost for them to face the Phobians who are yet to discover the consistency and winning touch their followers expect of the team under Coach Addo.
Similarly, Ashgold will welcome Kotoko to Obuasi boosted by a 1-0 victory chalked up in Kumasi at a time the home side were celebrating their 79th anniversary and had unveiled seven new players.
Beyond the psychological edge from last Sunday’s win, Ashgold know Kotoko have not fared well in Obuasi in recent times and will therefore seek a double victory over the visitors to brighten their chances of winning the competition this weekend.
Kotoko will be counting on old guards such as Skipper Michael Akuffo, Kojo Opoku, Jordan Opoku and newly signed Samad Oppong, whereas Ashgold will look up to Nafiu Awudu, Seth Afful, Francis Adjei and goalkeeper Robert Babuo to maintain their dominance over the Porcupine Warriors.
