By: Bernard Nyankomago-Yeboah

Date: 01-07-11

Nimble footed midfielder Haruna Ganiyu believes this afternoon’s encounter with Berekum Chelsea in the President’s Cup at the Ohene Djan Stadium is a great opportunity for Kumasi Asante Kotoko to avenge the double defeat that the team suffered at the hands of Chelsea in the 2010/11 Glo Premier League.

In a chat with Kotoko Express on Wednesday after training, the enterprising midfielder who is expecting Kotoko’s first trophy in the season said they are battle ready for Chelsea. “Rain or shine we will annex the trophy at stake to honour our supporters for their great work done in the season. I think this game is an opportunity for us to prove to Chelsea that the double victory that they recorded over Kotoko in the league came by accident” he noted.

The 2010/11 Glo Premier League Champions, Berekum Chelsea remain the only team to have defeated the Porcupine Warriors home and away in the just ended competition. They beat Kotoko 3-2 in the 13^th week fixture at the Baba Yara Stadium on November 28, 2010 before recording another 1-0 over the Fabulous Boys in match day 18 at the Berekum Golden City Park on January 16, 2011 courtesy Emmanuel Clottey.

But they don’t need to be told that they will have a hard nut to crack this afternoon at the Ohene Djan Stadium when they cross swords with Kotoko in the President’s Cup judging from the current form and preparations that Coach Korak and his boys have gone through regarding this particular match.

Unlike Chelsea who drew 1-1 with Accra Hearts of Oak the last time they stormed the Ohene Djan Stadium in the 6^th week fixture of the Glo Premier League, the Oseikrom lads put up an amazing performance to beat Medeama SC 2-1 in the play off during their last visit to the venue.

Both Kotoko and Medeama were tied on 46 points at the end of the league and had to play in a decider to determine their positions on the log sheet in accordance with the terms of Article 8.5 (a-d) of the GFA Regulations and Kotoko proved their worth.

Coach Korak and his charges are expected to derive inspiration from that gallant display and put Berekum Chelsea to sleep to serve as a morale booster for the upcoming MTN FA Cup semi final match against Wa All Stars scheduled for July 10, 2011 at the Ohene Djan Stadium.

Quite apart from that the Porcupine Warriors has proven that they are always a great force to reckon with when it comes to the President’s Cup. Having beaten Accra Hearts 1-0 in 2005 at the then Accra Sports Stadium to win the prestigious trophy, the team under the tutelage of Coach Bashir Hayford triumphed over Kpando Hearts on penalties to win the same trophy for the last time in 2008. 

According to Haruna Ganiyu, the current crop of players are also determined to add their names to the President’s  Cup record and also to have a feel of the trophy which is expected to be presented by President John Evans Atta Mills on Republic Day.

He called on all Kotoko supporters within Greater Accra and its environs to fill the stadium in their numbers and witness a good display of soccer that will propel Kotoko to success.