Kotoko, Ashgold In Battle Of Supremacy

A bigger percentage of the attention on the Onetouch Premiership will be turned on the Len Clay Stadium in Obuasi where Kumasi Asante Kotoko play away to Ashantigold tomorrow afternoon.

This titanic clash will be the third this season — the last two of which Kotoko and Ashgold recorded by a 1-0 scoreline. So a big battle line has been drawn for two sworn rivals who are bent on enjoying the better of the rivalry this season.

Perhaps the biggest challenge for Coach Telat Uzum will be the fact that he will have fewer options on the field of play after nine key players, were expelled earlier in the week.

The strength of Ashantigold at their Len Clay Stadium cannot be overlooked, and this is one thing Skipper Edmund Owusu Ansah and his team mates must bear in mind. In the Nyemitei/SWAG Cup match played last year Ashantigold not only recorded a 1-0 victory but avenged the 1-0 loss to Kotoko in Konongo in week 12.

With the 1-3 loss to Hearts, the 0-1 loss to Tema Youth and the 1-1 draw with Liberty last week, Kotoko could come into this game the less-fancied side.

This would only change if the Porcupine Warriors give of a first class performance.

League leaders, Accra Hearts of Oak, travel to Sunyani to play Bofoakwa seeking to stretch their lead on the league table. But their challenge lies in the fact that after their two successive victories over Kotoko they are yet to win.

Another tie which is expected to be event-filled is that between Tema Youth and Real Sportive. This local Derby could determine which of the two sides will fall for the first time at the Tema Stadium since neither of the two have lost a game at that venue since the beginning of the 2006/2007 Onetouch Premiership.

Tema Youth go into this game riding on their confidence gained from the 1-0 victory over Kotoko a fortnight ago at the same venue.

Accra Great Olympics will start the action this afternoon at the Ho Stadium as they face King Faisal. Liberty Professionals, the 'scientific soccer lads', take their turn tomorrow against Power FC at the Ho Stadium.

Power could prove tough customers for the Dansoman lads because the results of their last two games against Berekum Arsenals and Hearts strongly indicate their resolve to jump out of the relegation zone.

At the Gyandu Park in Sekondi, Hasaacas will seek to overturn a 4-0 loss they suffered against Heart of Lions in Kpando in the first round while at the Kaladan Park in Tamale, Arsenal play away to RTU.

In another local Derby Feyenoord play host to Gamba All Blacks at the Swedru Stadium.

Preview By Nathaniel Attoh