Can Ablordey find magic wand against Wa All Stars?

Around the same time last season, Kumasi Asante Kotoko decided to let their head coach, David Duncan, step aside and his assistant, Michael Osei, take over, following strings of uninspiring performances from the team in the Ghana Premier League.

The same story line is running now as  coach Godwin Ablordey has been tasked to take over the club’s technical direction in an acting capacity following sacking last Sunday night of Croatian coach, Zdravko Lugarusic, for recording more draws than wins in the ongoing league.

The big question that Ablordey will have to answer on Easter Sunday is whether he has the magic wand to turn Kotoko’s fortunes around as the team visit the Wa Stadium to face Wa All Stars in the top fixture of Match Day 12.

Perhaps the appointment last Tuesday of former Kotoko and Black Stars defender, Frimpong Manso, to assist Ablordey could provide the sound technical guidance to steer the Porcupine Warriors out of trouble.

When Coach Osei took charge last season, he immediately steadied the unstable Kotoko team, recording a string of good results both at home and away. 

And with Kotoko winless in their last four matches, there will be enormous pressure on Ablordey to end the slide and restore their title ambitions. 

But Ablordey’s charges face a daunting task against the defending champions who have also shown inconsistent form, including a shocking 1-4 home loss to WAFA.

Head to head, Kotoko have the upper hand, having won two, drawn one and lost one of their four meetings last season. That impressive statistics, coupled with All Stars’ inconsistent home form should give the Kotoko lads some comfort and hope to return from Wa with at least a point.

Whether it is Lugarusic’s formation that has been unfavourable for the Kotoko players, or it is the players who have been unimaginative, they will have to prove that against 11th-placed Wa All Stars, who earned a point against Tema Youth in a 1-1 drawn game last Monday.

After beating Great Olympics 2-1 in Accra, second placed Aduana Stars return to Dormaa-Ahenkro without their suspended skipper, Godfred Saka, as they host Tema Youth with renewed hope of getting a good result at the Nana Agyeman Badu Park where the home side are unbeaten this season.

Aduana’s 2-1 win against Olympics last Monday pushed them two points off league leaders WAFA and a win against the Tema lads could strengthen their title challenge and their quest to return to the top spot.

WAFA look a safe bet to maintain their winning run as they host tottering Bolga All Stars at the Redbull Arena at Sogakope where the league leaders have a dreaded unbeaten record over the last two seasons. 

The Sogakope lads stunned Elmina Sharks 2-1 in their game last Sunday and will be out to further consolidate their lead against a side who have picked only one point from five away games.

In other matches on Sunday, Hearts of Oak host Elmina Sharks at the Accra Sports Stadium in a game which favours the home side who have rediscovered their winning form after two straight victories, including winning their last four home matches game in Accra.

Inter Allies host troubled Ashgold at the El Wak Stadium, Bechem United visit Medeama at the Tarkwa T&A Park, while Berekum Chelsea play as guests of Ebusua Dwarfs at the Cape Coast Stadium.

Great Olympics should not expect any favours when they visit Liberty Professionals at the Carl Reindorf Park at Dansoman in a city derby.

Around the same time last season, Kumasi Asante Kotoko decided to let their head coach, David Duncan, step aside and his assistant, Michael Osei, take over, following strings of uninspiring performances from the team in the Ghana Premier League.

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