Title race far from over

Frank Sarfo Gyamfi soars above all in Dreams FC's defence. 

Kotoko's victory over Dreams FC in Kumasi on Sunday have sparked a litany of arguments over whether or not Referee Nathan Anafo who handled the match was fair. There have been questions over the so-called soft penalty he awarded Kotoko in the last minutes of the game. 

I don’t know what a soft penalty is. What I know is that, there is too much hypocrisy in our system. Until, you become a victim of poor officiating, you wouldn’t know what it’s when other club officials are complaining about referees’ bad performance.

Referee Nathan Anafo exercised good judgement at that crucial moment. He should be commended instead of being condemned. Now, the results of the weekend’s matches have given weight to remarks that, the league competition is far from over. First of all, Hearts were humiliated by WAFA; Wa All Stars posted a convincing win over Bechem United; Aduana Stars lost away to Sekondi Hasaacas and as mentioned earlier, Kotoko beat Dreams FC.

WAFA’s thrashing of Hearts of Oak at Sogakope wasn’t the least surprising. I had predicted elsewhere that, there was no way the Phobians would return from WAFA’s base unscathed, especially when the academy side has proven almost impregnable on their artificial turf at home. In addition to that, Hearts, despite having more points and also being well-placed, haven’t been playing well and as a result, I had seen their downfall at Sogakope.   

Hearts’ loss was good for Kotoko especially when we earned a hard 1-0 victory at home to Dreams FC. The win completed the double over the league’s new boys besides giving Kotoko the chance to close in on teams that have taken a fine lead on the league table. Wa All Stars, who have actually been in and out of the first position this season, dislodged Hearts with their emphatic 2-0 triumph in their date with Bechem United.

Aduana Stars, even in the 2009/10 season when they were league winners, didn’t appear strong outside their hostile Dormaa Park. Therefore, Aduana Stars’ 2-1 fall in Sekondi was nothing surprising too. In consequence, the results, recorded by Wa All Stars, Hearts of Oak, Aduana Stars and Kotoko, for me, opens the race for the league title a little wider.

It will be interesting to see the results of match day 24 fixtures. On Saturday, we will be in Dansoman, Accra against Liberty Professionals who are presently 8th on the table. Liberty’s position matters not, since they have lately proven to be a thorn in Kotoko’s flesh.

Last season, Liberty hammered Kotoko 3-1 at Dansoman after we had taken an early lead.

It was a painful defeat particularly when we had shown positive signs in the early minutes.

I’m hopeful that, Kotoko will this time battle Liberty victoriously to enhance our chances of winning the league title which is still within reach. Those who dared called this season’s league for Hearts are quickly revising their scripts. They must because Kotoko aren’t giving up.  

Our team just have to lift their performance. Things have to change. We need to win our matches. We need to progress. The so-called virgin trophy unveiled by the Premier League Board (PLB) last Thursday can be in our trophy cabinet in Kumasi if we double our effort. Between now and September when the league will end, there will more movements.

Definitely some teams will lose while others win. There will be wins and losses to ensure these movements on the league table. It’s my fervent wish that, Kotoko’s movement will be upwards and that, we will be crowned champions eventually. What a reward that would be for Coach Michael Osei and his team given the kind of season they have had. Anything is possible. The team needs to work hard. Their hard work will surely pay off.