Can The Lions Roar In Obuasi?

KUMASI Asante Kotoko have already clinched the 2007/2008 Onetouch Premiership, and can now start preparing for next season knowing they will be playing in the African Champions League in 2009 against some of Africa’s best club sides. What is left to be decided with three games to end the season, is which two teams join Great Olympics to division one with Tema Youth, Sekondi Hasaacas, Real Sportive, Zaytuna United FC and All Blacks, all seeking desperately to avoid the drop. Topping today’s midweek ties, however, is the Obuasi clash involving AshantiGold and Heart of Lions who will go at each other for the three points at stake. Lions are in a battle with Liberty Professionals for the other ticket to the Champions League, and would be inspired for this afternoon’s game. The homesters who are unbeaten at Obuasi and pushing for a top four finish, will count on their home advantage to collect the points. Liberty Professionals will have one eye on the result at Obuasi as they play Kessben FC at Dansoman. A setback for Lions will put them in good stead as they go for the win that would take them to the second position on the table. With the league title already secured, Kotoko’s game at Wa against All Stars is purely an academic exercise, and the home team could count on the lack of inspiration from the Reds to claim another home win in this their debut season in the top flight of Ghana football. The battle for survival will be intense at the Swedru Stadium All Blacks take on Zaytuna United FC. Both sides are not safe, and their clash should be one to savour. Great Olympics are already down, but they could be slippery against Arsenal in Accra. The Gunners are in the race for fourth place, but could see that dream dashed. Real Tamale United (RTU), have scored some good results at the Tema park over the last couple of years, and would count on that fortune as they play as guests of Real Sportive. The home side have it all to do to stay up, and anything other than a win will cost them dearly. The same can be said of Hasaacas who host Hearts of Oak at the Sekondi Stadium at Essipong. Both Hasaacas and Hearts have had a rather tough season in this campaign with the home side especially hit. A win for them will all but save their season. King Faisal have an outside chance of making the top four, and can uphold that dream with a home win in Kumasi against Tema Youth. The away team are also in the fight to avoid the drop and would stop at nothing to preserve their premiership status.