To say Kumasi Asante Kotoko are in the most difficult part of their 2021-22 football season is stating the obvious.
The Porcupine Warriors opened a comfortable 12 points lead to make nonsense of a perceived challenge by a stuttering Bechem United side that churned out unimpressive results week after week.
And with the likes of Hearts, Olympics also producing inconsistent performances, it suggested a clean sweep for the Porcupine Warriors even with many games to spare.
But interestingly, that lead has been ‘chopped’ down to six with a revived Medeama SC picking the second place baton, after a hard fought 2-1 win over Olympics in Accra, to arrogate to themselves the challenge to stretch or determine the champions on the final day of the season.
That, perhaps, created a certain impression for a number of faint-hearted coaches including Aduana Stars’ Bessa Ben Zola, to declare the Reds runaway champions.
Leading this onslaught is a young dynamic coach, Abdul Umar Rabi, who has succeeded in re-tuning the mindset of the Medeama squad and developing a winning mentality and a die-hard attitude in the players.
They have become familiar with that character since Rabi took over the reins and will demonstrate it again tomorrow when they come face to face with the Porcupine Warriors.
A series of bad performances and a bit of ill-luck have seen the Porcupine Warriors’ fortunes dwindled, giving the chasing pack the chance to narrow the gap between them.
Despite creating a number of goal scoring opportunities in their game against Berekum Chelsea and having a man advantage after a red card incident that saw the visitors reduced in number, Kotoko still ended the game as losers.
The game before that against Aduana Stars has seen their prolific goal scorer, Frank Mbella Etouga missed two penalty kicks to draw at the end of 90 minutes.
Injuries have also contributed to their lackluster displays in recent times but would have to bounce back strongly against the Tarkwa ‘Mauve and Yellows’ who have given indication of beating Kotoko in their bid to stage a historic rally for the crown.
It will be an extremely tough task for the two sides with Kotoko as favourites but Medeama seem overly motivated to deepen the woes of the Porcupine Warriors.
The dream for top four places will continue among the top half clubs as Aduana Stars engage Dreams FC while Berekum Chelsea, right after the Kotoko conquest, return to the Golden City Park to face Elmina Sharks.
At the Tamale Sports Stadium, RTU will play as host of Eleven Wonders; King Faisal will welcome a lowly motivated Accra Great Olympics side to the Baba Yara Sports Stadium while AshantiGold oblige Accra Lions to the Obuasi Len Clay Sports Stadium.
Elsewhere, Legon Cities host GoldStars at the Elwak Sports Stadium, WAFA face Bechem United with Hearts of Oak playing Karela FC at the Accra Sports Stadium on Monday.
BY ANDREW NORTEY