Lions show proof of life

It all came together for Accra Lions on Sunday. The heavens opened up and it rained goals.

That is the only way to explain their new-found ruthlessness in front of goal against Agbozume Weavers, who are not a shabby side.

Four of the goals came from the Nigerian import Lucky Nwafor and there was still enough space for Baba Apiiga and Edmond Amakye to add one each.

Until yesterday, Lucky Nwafor had struggled to settle in.

Signed in September, the former Sunshine Stars striker had not scored in ten league appearances - four starts and six substitute appearances.

While the numbers were worrying, it was not all because he was poor in front of goal. As ironic as it seemed, Luck eluded Lucky.

Irony, eh? One of the jokes the football gods love to make.

Except, this was not funny.

Against Bechem United last month, he let fly a thunderbolt that seemed goal-bound until it rattled the crossbar before sailing over agonisingly.

Nwafor looked to the sky and shook his head in disbelief. He murmured more than a few words in a rather long soliloquy.

Whatever he said must have provoked a reaction from the gods.

On Sunday, Nwafor manifested the full force of Ogun, except this was not a Wednesday.

While Nwafor's change in fortunes was surprising, Baba Apiiga's was not.

Promoted from the Under 18s last year, Apiiga has been one of the club's brightest talents.

Before Sunday, Lions had only scored seven goals in eleven league matches.

Yet, they found four in ninety minutes. Critics will point to the level of the opposition, but it will not mean much to a team that has not won a game in eight consecutive league matches.

On December 15, Lions will host title-chasing Nations FC at Legon.

Lions would hope that Nwafor and Apiiga's liberation on Sunday will mark a paradigm shift in the league.

Kotoko's Homecoming

Kotoko had the perfect homecoming when they beat Future Stars 2-0 at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi.

Beyond the homecoming, Kotoko would be happy about the progress of two players; Albert Amoah and Mohammed Kamara.

Albert Amoah produced two goals to take his season's tally to eight in all competitions, having scored six in the Ghana Premier League already.

Amoah has, by some distance, been Kotoko's best player this season, having scored six of their ten league goals, and now both of the club's goals in the FA Cup.

On Sunday, his impressive statistics reflected in the freedom with which he played and the air of assurance he carried.

His second goal, a peach of a strike, was the perfect demonstration of this. He received the ball from quite some distance and allowed the ball to run across him.

That meant he did not have to adjust his body or take too many touches to set up the shot. He needed two.

He only needed one look and he let fly. When followed was a howitzer; lower than a mortar but higher than a cannon.

However, this was as devastating as the force of both.

One other player Ogum will hope plays with assurance and confidence going forward, is Mohammed Kamara. The Guinean goalkeeper became Santa's pre-Christmas gift to opponents when he made three consecutive errors in Kotoko's nasty November.

After making errors leading directly to goals in three consecutive matches, Ogum was tempted to revert to first-choice goalkeeper, Frederick Asare.

More so, when you consider the fact that Frederick Asare, the club's first-choice goalkeeper, did not make any such errors before losing his position.

Yet, Ogum went against the grain and persisted with the Guinean. Result? Consecutive clean sheets against Aduana FC and Future Stars.

Subsequently, Kamara, as much as Albert Amoah, are guaranteed starters for the Super Clash on December 15.

Ogum and Major Yaw Larson - the club's new Head of Sporting Affairs, will hope that Kamara has banished the demons for good.

Goalkeeping errors have always been part of the Super Clash. From Abdoulaye Soulama's miscontrol in 2016, to Richmond Aryee's gift last season, there has been enough of such to last a lifetime.

Besides, Kotoko are getting used to these gifts from Hearts of Oak. They would like the status quo to remain.

Wayo's renaissance

A month ago, Mawuli Wayo was on the brink of being alienated from the Hearts team.

After starting the Phobian's first four league games, he did not do much to justify the club's investment in him.

He was subsequently made a permanent member of the substitutes bench.

Or so it appeared.

Eight weeks later, he is the club's joint top scorer in all competitions with four goals.

His renaissance is unusual.

In the Ghana Premier League, when promising talents fail to make the grade after a big money move, there is often no way back.

Yet, Wayo has worked his way back into prominence, scoring the match-winner on two occasions; against Vision F.C and Medeama S.C in the league, as well as Sunday's double.

When Hearts face Kotoko on December 15, Wayo will be one of the players to watch.