Porcupines plot Liberty’s fall

Defending league champions Kotoko will seek another away win to intensify the heat on Hearts of Oak when they play scientific soccer lads Liberty Professionals at the El Wak Stadium on Sunday.

With the points difference between Hearts and Kotoko was cut further down to two after the former’s 1-1 drawn game against All Stars on Monday Kotoko are poised to go all out for another win to topple their rivals this weekend.

Kotoko could claim the top spot of the table should they triumph in Accra but that will also depend on the results Hearts of Oak and Heart of Lions chalk in their equally difficult away encounters against Kessben FC and King Faisal respectively.

Heart of Lions are third on the table with a better goal advantage. As a result they could as well occupy the top spot if both Hearts and Kotoko slip in their respective outings.

In spite of the logic in these analyses, supporters of Kotoko are praying for only one thing – victory for their team.

The possibility of Kotoko winning in Accra is great although they struggled in their last game to beat relegation bound Sporting Mirren at the Baba Yara Stadium.

Liberty Professionals are 10th on the league ladder with 33 points. They are therefore not particularly distant from the clubs battling with relegation such as Eleven Wise, Kessben FC, Ashantigold, All Blacks and Hasaacas.

In consequence, Liberty will be motivated to fight hard for victory – a situation which will only set the stage for a big showdown considering Kotoko’s hunger for success.

Clashes between the two teams on any level have usually favoured Kotoko. Of the 8 league matches played between the two clubs in Accra alone, Kotoko have won four whereas Liberty have triumphed twice with the rest ending in a draw.

It is important to note that Kotoko beat Liberty 3-1 in the first round but the last time both teams met in a league match in Accra, Liberty led the game from the 7th minute until right-winger Francis Akwaffo brought Kotoko on level terms in the closing stages of the game.

On Saturday, Akwaffo will not be featured due to injury. Kotoko however have enough strength to fight for a win.

Coach Herbert Addo is determined to better his undefiled record although the outcome rests mostly on his approach to the game as well as the performance of his players.

Coach Addo gambled and almost stumbled with his decision to start left back, Harrison Afful in midfield against Sporting Mirren last Sunday. That tactical decision, although there were good reasons for it, stifled Kotoko’s general performance until the second half when he sent Afful back to his usual position.

The experienced Kotoko tactician is not expected to take further risks tomorrow. Looking at the performance of the players in camp it is difficult to predict Kotoko’s starting eleven.

Liberty Professionals will undoubtedly be a hard nut to crack, however, with determination and concentration, Kotoko are likely to win as they did against Eleven Wise, Hearts of Oak and Bechem Chelsea all in away duels.