Five Premier League clubs and three second-tier sides will engage in a tussle this weekend in the quarter-finals of the 2015/16 MTN FA Cup competition as they all fight for a place in the semi-finals.
The four encounters will witness last year’s FA Cup finalists Kumasi Asante Kotoko engage Bechem United at the Baba Yara Stadium, Premier League leaders Wa All Stars face Wa Rockets in a regional derby on Sunday, Dansoman-based Liberty Professionals settle scores with Elmina Sharks at the Carl Reindorf Park, while WAFA take on Okwawu United at Nkawkaw tomorrow.
Despite the competitive nature of the encounters, the pick of the weekend is the clash in Kumasi, which is their second meeting in recent months after the Porcupine Warriors pipped the Bechem lads 1-0 in the 12th week fixture of the Premier League.
Kotoko, who are targeting a double this year and are placed third on the league log with 26 points, will stop at nothing to ensure a home win to progress to the penultimate round.
Their coach, Michael Osei, is determined to guide the team to the next round in his bid to consolidate his position as well as take the club a step closer to another FA Cup win, even though he will miss the services of defender Emmanuel Asante and striker Kwame Boateng, who are both nursing injuries.
However, Coach Osei has his trusted arsenal in captain Amos Frimpong, top marksman Dauda Mohammed, goalkeeper Ernest Sowah, Seidu Bancey, Kojo Poku and Ahmed Adams who are available to secure the all-important win.
The Wa derby between All Stars and Rockets is another game expected to produce fireworks as the Division One side seek to upset their Premiership rivals on Sunday.
The game between Liberty and Sharks also look dicey even though the Scientific Football lads have been very strong at their Dansoman base this season. But Sharks go into the game from a position of strength as they lead the Zone B table of the Division One League.