After the 3-0 resounding victory over Nkana FC last week, Ghana’s sole representative in the CAF Confederation Cup competition, Asante Kotoko will lock horns with Sudanese outfit, Al Hilal at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium tomorrow with a place at the top of the group in sight.
The Nkana feat did not only revive the campaign but narrowed the gap between them and the Sudanese who lead the table with seven points, one ahead of Kotoko with six.
Kotoko’s motivation lies in the chance to claim top spot with a win over Al Hilal and hope to at least pluck a point from the final group game with Zesco in Zambia.
It will be Kotoko’s third and final home match at this stage of the competition and clearly understands why the three points at stake is a must for them.
Gladly, Kotoko will have their injured players that missed the Nkana second leg around, meaning they will play at full strength.
Coack C.K Akonnor’s challenge, however, will be whether to stick with the winning team or effect changes to reflect the team at full strength.
In the midst of that confusion, Akonnor remains confident another tactical disposition could pull the magic against the Sudanese just as it happened to Nkana.
Ahead of the game, the Sudanese Deputy Coach, Adam Salah Mohammed has been positive about their chances, insisting their worse will be a draw.
He told journalist on arrival at Kumasi that; “Kotoko is a well respected club in Africa just like us. Playing in Ghana or Sudan is always difficult but the conditions here are similar to what we have in Sudan.”
“In Sudan, the weather is quite hot just like Ghana. We hope the referee will have a good day too. If it happens, the results will surely go in favour of us.”
This level of confidence for the Sudanese is what Akonnor and his charges must overcome tomorrow if they are to sustain the momentum.
Sadly, Kotoko will miss the services of Emmanuel Gyamfi who got injured last week but the return of Amos Frimpong and Richard Senanu will come as great news for the Porcupine Warriors.
That will surely see some changes but the team must be strong to ensure they overcome the Al Hilal threat.
BY ANDREW NORTEY
