SUNDAY’S second led SWAG Cup Match will receive the spice of life with the royal presence of the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
Indeed, it will be the first time an Asantehene will be watching the ceremonial cup match, and what a day it will be as Asante Kotoko, the club the Asantehene owes battles it out with Kpando Heart of Lions for the magnificent trophy.
Otumfuo says he will like to be at the Baba Yara Stadium to dismiss the belief in Kumasi that Kotoko lose any match the Asantehene watches live at the Stadium.
When the Asantehene, who was speaking at a meeting with the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the club at the Manhyia Palace yesterday, asked the management members and a handful of supporters present whether his presence at the stadium on Sunday would see the defeat of the club or not, the general response was that, “We will win”.
Clearly, Kotoko are in no mood to let this cup slip through their fingers, having surrendered the premier league cup to bitterest rivals, Accra Hearts of Oak.
Having won the prestigious SWAG Cup match 12 times, the Porcupine Warriors will want to extend their success story. But they are aware Lions will not be mere pushovers as they will come roaring ready to devour.
Lions have some quality materials in Edmund Owusu Ansah, Gladson Awako, Kofi Nti Boakye and Daniel Yeboah who have the ability to overturn the first leg defeat.
It is against this background that coach Hebert Addo has taken his players through a tough training regimen to put them in shape for the task ahead.
Both sides will have the freedom to use five guest players, but it is still doubtful if they will make use of the opportunity.
At Kotoko, for instance, everything is pointing to the coach keeping faith with the old players as they are in no mood for any trial and error approach to the match.
On that score, Isaac Amoako, Daniel Nii Adjei, Louis Agyemang, Francis Akwaffo and Stephen Manu are expected to feature prominently.
The Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) has promised soccer fans who throng the Baba Yara Stadium tomorrow to witness the Asante Kotoko-Heart of Lions’ SIC-Nyemitei/SWAG Cup match a large screen live telecast of the Manchester United-Chelsea FA Community Shield match at Wembley.
The Manchester United versus Chelsea match will precede the Kotoko-Lions encounter.
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