Cliffhanger • As Herbert, Middendorp Face Kotoko Tomorrow
AshantiGold's lead in the Premier League will be put to the strongest test yet when they face Kumasi Asante Kotoko at the Baba Yara Stadium tomorrow in a match that brings back former Asante Kotoko CEO, Herbert Mensah, and their former German coach, Ernst Middendorp, back into the fray under interesting circumstances.
The two lead the Soccer Miners against the defending champions in what promises to be an uncompromising clash.
Herbert's larger-than-life persona during his stint with Kotoko where he worked with Middendorp, and their dramatic reunion at Obuasi where Herbert is CEO of Ashgold, while the German coach has assumed the job of technical director of the Obuasi side, add extra spice to tomorrow's clash.
With growing rivalry between the two sides, the atmosphere has already been charged with a transfer wrangle between the two sides over Ashgold top marksman, Alex Asamoah, who joins the Porcupine Warriors for a whopping $50,000.
Now Asamoah will be under pressure to prove his worth against his former club tomorrow, particularly after their 1-2 loss to the Soccer Miners in last Saturday's friendly game at the Len Clay Stadium.
With a psychological edge following their 2-1 win at Obuasi, Ashgold look determined to deny Kotoko a famous win on home soil and maintain their flying start to the season, a result that will tickle the egos of Herbert and Middendorp.
But that desire of Ashgold desire clashes with a similar ambition of Kotoko's new Belgian coach, Maurice Coorman, who is under pressure to return the Porcupine Warriors to winning ways.
Tomorrow's midweek clashes will also see Kpando Heart of Lions take on Kessben FC at the Kpando Park in a match expected to be action-packed and likely to tilt in favour of the home side, while Tony Yeboah's Chelsea hope to continue their winning ways when they play fellow new entrants, Sporting Mirren, who were handed a baptism of fire by Accra Hearts of Oak despite a spirited performance against the Phobians.
Hearts, with mercurial playmaker Charles Taylor back in fine form, remain in the nation's capital where they hope to strip visiting Berekum Arsenals bare at the Ohene Djan Stadium.
Hearts laboured hard until two late goals flattened Sporting Mirren last week, and tomorrow they will need to be sharper in attack to claim maximum points at the expense of Arsenal who are often tough customers for the Phobians.
Sekondi Eleven Wise hope to mark their return to the premiership with a famous win over visiting Gamba All Blacks at the Sekondi sports Stadium at Essipong, with their city rivals, Sekondi Hasaacas, travelling to Tamale to play RTU who are favourites to win at home.
Wa All Stars will have to put up a five-star performance if they intend to collect all three points at the expense of in-form Glo Top 4 champions, Liberty Professionals, who began the season on a wrong foot with a 2-3 home loss to Chelsea.