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| Amed Toure scored Kotoko's only goal at Dansoman. |
I had anticipated six out of six. In the worst case
scenario, I felt it could be four out of six.
But it turned out to be three out of six points as
Liberty Professionals handed Asante Kotoko their third defeat in the second
round of the 2014/15 First Capital Plus Premier League.
Sunday’s loss
marked the Porcupines’ second 3-1 away defeat since the second half of the
season opened. Kotoko stormed Accra last Tuesday hopeful of winning their two
league matches – first against Great Olympics at the Accra Sports Stadium and afterwards,
Liberty Professionals at the Carl Reindorf Park, Dansoman.
I wrote in a preview of the two games last Tuesday that,
Kotoko could earn all six points at stake in the Accra mission or at worst, they
could bag four points. I had expected at least a drawn game at Dansoman.
Following proceedings of the Liberty encounter from my
cold room at Waterkloof Ridge, Pretoria, South Africa; I was delighted to see the
live Twitter update, which reported that, Amed Toure shot Kotoko in the lead as
early as the 8th minute. That was impressive.
Knowing Liberty Professionals and how organised they are
particularly at Dansoman, where they haven’t lost in the last six matches, I
prayed that, Kotoko either doubled their slim lead or held on to it tightly.
That appeared to be a task quite difficult to execute as the fabulous lads lost
ground 13 minutes later with Liberty equalizing after a defensive mix-up.
It’s heartbreaking that Kotoko have lost three of four matches
since the second round of the league started. It’s even disappointing that, as
defending champions, Kotoko are progressively losing their grip of the title. Ashgold,
I admit, are increasingly fortifying their resolve to win the title.
Ashgold have 37 points. That’s 12 more than what Kotoko
have. In purely football sense, it’s isn’t out of place to suggest that, Kotoko
can catch-up and dream of overthrowing Ashgold. However, the reality is that,
Kotoko will not be able to cut down Ashgold’s sovereign lead if those poor
results don’t stop.
I’m an optimist. I haven’t lost hope. I’m of the
conviction that, Kotoko will soon come within the top four rank but the team
must buck-up. I can’t say much about the match against Olympics and Liberty
because I wasn’t at the venues.
I however commend Kotoko’s fighting spirit in the Olympics
game, which ensured their 3-2 win but I’m frightened by the ease with which the
team concedes goals. Conceding 10 goals and scoring six in four matches speaks badly
of the strength of the team defensively. The reported miscommunication between
goalie, Ofori Antwi and Eric Donkor which offered Liberty the opportunity to equalize
is inexcusable.
It is shocking that Kotoko have conceded 10 goals in four
matches. The ball is directly in Coach David Duncan’s court. He must halt the
leakage. Coach Duncan has the inevitable duty of applying the right medicine to
stop the hemorrhage.
On Wednesday, June 24, Kotoko will play Ashgold in the
quarter final of the FA Cup in Kumasi. The next league game is also at home to
Bechem United on Sunday, June 28. I won’t dwell on the FA Cup match. I have adequately
written on that in another article. I will stay on Kotoko’s league form and encourage
the team to beat Bechem United, who are a point richer than Kotoko on the
league table.
Bechem United was the team, Coach David Duncan first beat
in the league when he was appointed in March. If every team is winning at home,
Kotoko must also win at home. After Kotoko trounced Lions 4-0 in the first
round in Kumasi; the Kpando team, learnt their lessons to thrash Kotoko 3-1 at
home. Every team takes advantage of its home grounds. Kotoko must do that too!
Kotoko proved stronger than Olympics in Accra and Liberty
demonstrated that, they are supreme at Dansoman. Kotoko have no business
dropping guard against Bechem United.
The awful experience of losing in Kumasi must not repeat
itself against Bechem on Sunday.
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