There appears to be nothing than revenge on the minds of players and officials of Obuasi Ashantigold as they face regional rivals, Kumasi Asante Kotoko for the 2006 Sports Writers Association of Ghana annual cup.
Kotoko who torpedoed Ashgold from the top of the Premier League table after inflicting a painful one win over them at Cape Coast in their Week 12 fixture thanks to a Micheal Ofosu Appiah’s first half strike will have to push their endurance level to the limit to achieve the much needed victory.
With that defeat fresh on the minds of the Miners, they appear ready to go heaven and earth to show Kotoko their renaissance as a real force in Ghana football come Sunday.
Ashgold’s Chief Executive Officer, Kudjoe Fianoo is banking on the SWAG Cup for his second silverware of the year after the Mangoung Arts and Cultural Festival (MACUFE) Cup was annexed in South Africa earlier in the season.
Kudjoe Fianoo has subsequently promised to give the “Fabulous lads” a good run for their money by parading a full strength side in his quest to give the game the needed attention it deserves.
His Technical Director, David Duncan has also promised to pay Kotoko back in their own coin for smashing his team’s then unbeaten record in the league and are out to prove that their qualification for next years CAF Champions League was no fluke.
Even though Asgold will be missing the services of joint lead striker, Alex Asamoah on national duty with the Black Meteors, there are some equally good players to fill the vacuum.
They are hoping to rely on the youthful exuberance of Alhaji Sanni, Yaw Sarpong, Sadiq Adams and Mubarak Wakasoo coupled with the experience of Emmanuel Osei Kuffour, Anthony Baffoe and Valentine Atem to snatch the trophy from their regional rivals.
Kotoko, the defending champions of the SWAG Cup after they beat Agazza Omnispoort of Togo 2-1 in last year’s edition are also confident of victory to become the only side to have won the annual event three times in succession.
The ‘Porcupine Warriors’ cannot afford to underrate the Miners who beat them twice to the trophy in the early nineties.
Kotoko’s coach, Tellat Uzum will be seeking for his first silverware since assuming his new position and will also rely on the leading marksman, Kwame Obeng Darko and his colleagues to achieve that feat.
The organisers have concluded terms with the two clubs who have promised to entertain soccer fans with a very competitive game.
The competition is in memory of the late Henry Plange Nyemitei, one time Director of the State Insurance Company (SIC) and a Patron of SWAG.
