They may be a side virtually unknown but in
a competition that is noted for upsets, Asante Kotoko cannot
afford to underrate Accra based second division
side, Danbort FC when the two teams clash in Sunday’s MTN FA Cup
round of 64 encounter at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
Danbort FC got to this stage after spanking
Third World FC 3-0 and if the words of their technical handler,
Coach Jim Corblah and Communications Director, John Vigah are
anything reliable, then they are planning nothing but an upset
in Kumasi on Sunday.
Kotoko goes into Sunday’s game not only as
the stronger side and of course the favourites but also as the
defending champions having won the last FA Cup title ten years
ago against King Faisal at the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium with a
late minute goal scored by Anas Mohammed.
The Porcupine Warriors might have suffered
some battering a couple of months back at the hands of perceived
smaller clubs in the first round of Glo Premier League.
However, with their last two triumphs in the
second round of the league, Coach Bogdan Korak and his charges
are in better form to break the resolve of their opponents this
weekend.
The African Nations Championship (CHAN), the
tournament designed for home based stars have taken away three
of Kotoko’s talented players – namely goalkeeper Isaac Amoako,
the trusted centre back, Awal Mohammed and his namesake, Sabato
Mohammed who are with the home-based Black Stars in the Kenyan
capital, Nairobi preparing for the tourney which kicks off in
Sudan next month.
The presence of these players would have
added a lot of quality to the team’s make-up but according to
Assistant Coach Prince Acheampong, they still have equally good
players to stand in.
Coach Bogdan Korak and his team have been
training since Monday morning. The focus has largely been on
conditioning, speed, endurance, gym and tactical work.
Apart from of John Kuffour and Abdul Haruna
Ganiyu who are gradually returning from injury, the rest of the
players have been training aggressively.
Two players, Albert Bruce and Nathaniel
Asamoah were in the Black Meteors’ camp back in
Kumasi
to join their colleagues for the match. Their arrival will
surely boost the strength of Coach Bogdan Korak’s team.
With Isaac Amoako out, the onus will lie on
either George Arthur or Soulama Abdoulaye to man the post. Yaw
Frimpong, Louis Quainoo, Ohene Brenya, Prince Anokye, Michael
Akuffo, Frank Boateng, Nathaniel Asamoah are all likely to
start.
The expectation is that Kotoko plays as a
unit, utilise their chances and continue their seemingly fine
form that has seen them rising from the lower ranks of the Glo
Premier League to a 5th position.
The Porcupines should not entertain
complacency because it could cost them for no matter their
strength or weakness, Danbort FC has the capacity to exploit any
palpable weakness.
