By: Bernard Nyankomago Yeboah

Date: 03-11-11

Stalwart defender Awal Mohammed says Asante Kotoko will storm the Golden City Park gallantly on Sunday and continue with their winning spree against Berekum Arsenal in match day five of the ongoing Glo Premier League.

Speaking to Kotoko Express via telephone on Wednesday, Awal reckoned that the forthcoming game would definitely be a fierce encounter. He however believes his side has what it takes to surmount every challenge and grab the maximum points to maintain their position at the summit of the log sheet.

“We are going to Berekum with victory in mind. We know Arsenal will definitely be a hard nut to crack but trust Kotoko to pick the maximum three points at the end of the day” he said.

The Brong Ahafo based club has been struggling to keep their feet in the Glo Premiership. Out of the four matches played so far, they have managed only one win against New Edubiase (2-1) and lost the remaining three games to Hearts of Oak (0-1), Wassaman (1-2) and Cape Coast Ebusua Dwarfs (0-1). They are currently lying at the 13^th position on the league table.

League leaders, Kotoko on the other hand have fared tremendously well in the competition picking 10 out of 12 points in four games. The Fabulous Boys first drew 1-1 with Tema Youth before recording three successive victories over Ashgold (3-0), Bechem United (3-2) and Kpando Heart of Lions (2-0).

Their quest to seek their fourth victory will severely be tested by Berekum Arsenal who return to their favourite home grounds, Golden City Park for the first time in the competition after serving the two-match home ban imposed on them by the GFA Disciplinary Committee last season for misconduct.

Matches between the two sides have always been crackers. During their last encounter at the Golden City Park last season, they shared spoils in an outstanding match played on December 26, 2011. The first game was controversially called off by Referee Silas Okine who claimed there was a clash of jerseys.

While Awal is expecting a successful and incident free game on Sunday, he has also charged the entire Kotoko fraternity, particularly his team mates not to be complacent over Berekum Arsenal dismal performance this season and prepare well for the game.

He emphasized that their ultimate dream is to win this season’s league title adding that victory over Arsenal on Sunday will boost their chances in the competition.

It may be recalled the Porcupine Warriors last won the domestic league in the 2007/08 football season (Onetouch Premiership) under the tutelage of Coach Bashir Hayford. All their attempts to win it over the last four seasons have hit a snag. Awal is cocksure the current generation of Asante Kotoko players have the arsenal to clinch the trophy this season no matter the circumstances.

“I know Kotoko supporters are unhappy about the team’s inability to win the league title for four seasons now. I want them to exercise patience and have confidence that we would win the trophy for them this time round” he stated.

He stressed that this ambition can only become a reality if all organs of the club, especially the supporters perform their duties effectively by lending their unflinching support behind the team in all their matches.

The former Gomoah Fetteh Feyenoord player joined the Porcupine fold in the second round of the 2010/11 Glo Premier League after two seasons spell with Asec Mimosas of Cote d’Ivoire. Among some of the players he came with in the second round includes Nathaniel Asamoah, Ahmed Toure, Yaw Frimpong, Fatawu Mohammed, Michael Akuffu, Iddrisu Nafiu among others.

Assessing how he has fared so far in the team, Awal reiterated that he has really enjoyed his stay with Kotoko and he is hoping to do more in the days ahead of him.

“I believe my stay with Kotoko has been successful though we are yet to win a trophy. Aside the fame I have achieved at Kotoko, I have also got the chance to play for the home based Black Stars. I consider this as a big honour to me”.

Having got the chance to play for Coach Kwasi Appiah’s home based Black Stars that won the Independence Anniversary Cup in Sierra Leone in March this year, the strong defender is working around the clock to catch the eyes of Black Stars coach Goran Stevanovic.

Asked how he sees the chances of the Black Stars among in the upcoming CAN2012, Awal observed that Ghana has a bright chance to qualify from their group and go ahead to win the trophy for the first time since 1982.

He however cautioned against complacency stressing that there are no minnows in modern football and that Plavi and his men ought to respect every opponent in Group D and prepare adequately for them.