Kotoko’s inability to win against Aduana Stars on match day 25 to claim first position on the league table was quite disappointing especially when the other title hopefuls – Wa All Stars and Hearts of Oak drew. But away to Sekondi Hasaacas on Sunday, the Porcupines have another chance to attempt that climb on the log and they must not let it slip through their hands.
A win for Kotoko was highly expected when they drew with Aduana Stars at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in what was a thrilling fixture but controversial decisions by the referee and his assistant added to the team’s difficulty in converting their chances sadly led to the draw.
The Porcupines Warriors kept their 4th place on the table with 40 points, just two points below league leaders Wa All Stars and one point less than what 2nd and 3rd placed Aduana Stars and Hearts have respectively. This weekend at the various centres, the race to get to the top will be fierce as the battle to avoid relegation also gets intense.
Kotoko will take an image redemption step to Sekondi to face Hasaacas who are at the precariously 14th position with five matches to end the league. A likely defeat for Hasaacas will worsen their relegation nightmares but that will be of no business to Kotoko who must win to brighten their title aspiration.
Last season, Kotoko earned a 2-1 win in a highly tempestuous game, played at the time the Hearts-Kotoko Obed Owusu saga was raging. The Porcupines needed victory badly and they secured it with some brilliant display from deputy captain Eric Donkor.
Comparatively, Kotoko may not be in desperate search for victory like they were around this time last season. However, their fans are eager to see them go all out to beat Hasaacas at a venue they have often fared well.
In nearly 30 years, Hasaacas haven’t had it easy overpowering Kotoko. The natural expectation is that, Kotoko, regardless of any setback they experienced at home on Wednesday will leave nothing to chance to be triumphant in Sekondi like they have always done.
This is a match that will bring the best out of the home team and it’s also a match that could have refereeing abnormalities as witnessed in some previous matches. If it so happens, Kotoko shouldn’t be discouraged but rather stick to their objective. They must play to the whistle and take their chances. That way, returning to Kumasi with victory will be a possibility.