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Prosper Ogum’s side head back to Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Sunday expecting to win big, while some home fans habour a little fear of a possible repeat of the case where former players may arrive to hunt them down

With obience and genuflection, Sunday’s game is the biggest fixture if the weekend. All eyes will be in Kumasi.

It will be a splendid and wonderful atmosphere when Asante Kotoko players come out from the dressing room on Sunday afternoon through the tunnel to the pitch, just like a soon to be father-in-law proudly walking with his daughter down the aisle to hand her over to the man he trust for marriage.

After 567 days away from their fortress, Kotoko fans will now have the opportunity to sit at their favorite spots, have their favorite chats and sing for their favorite players before, during and possibly after the game -depending on the outcome- when they lock horns with Bechem United in matchday two of Ghana Premier League.

Since Baba Yara Sports Stadium was closed down in March 2020, Kotoko have been roaming around perching other clubs and they can finally have the luxury to play at their favorite ground.

Last season, Kotoko nearly won the league title until a defeat in Accra against bitter rivals Hearts of Oak destroyed everything they had toiled for. This wasn’t just a blip or an unfortunate run of results. It was a widespread problem that needed solving sooner rather than later as players increasingly lost their steam and self belief.

Fortunately, Prosper Ogum was appointed to replace Mariano Baretto and the new gaffer came not only with his two assistants but also other new ideas.

A large chunk of the players who played last season were let go from the club including captain Felix Annan and assistant captain Emmanuel Gyamfi. This paved way for sixteen new players to be welcomed and the squad had a successful pre-season in Dubai.

Now, with Ogum having all that he asked for, what should he focus on to grind results on Sunday as he plays in front of the supporters for the first time?

Be more clinical

Kotoko named their 20-man squad for the game on Saturday evening and interestingly, fifteen players will be hoping to make their bow at home after joining the club. In short, they have never played at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium for Kotoko. Therefore, there should be a flying start.

Kotoko’s forward line were quite mesmerising to watch during the latter stages of last season and unfortunately they are yet to find their mojo. Although, Kotoko scored three goals last weekend against Dreams FC, none of them came from the strikers. Midfielders Mudasiru Salifu, Isaac Oppong and Richmond Lamptey did the work.

We realised in the game that Fabio Gama and Lamptey’s relationship in midfield at a point gave the strikers the licence to roam and cause havoc in opponents’ box, but they could not punish Dreams early enough.They had to wait till the last six minutes before the goals could come. The truth of the matter is that it could, and possibly should, have been far more.

Bechem maybe quite different from Dreams and if Kotoko fail to bury chances very early in the game, they may not be second time lucky to right the wrongs later.

Ogum must tighten up the defence

Kotoko, on opening day, paraded familiar faces at the back as skipper Abdul Ganiu partnered Yussif Mubarik at the heart of defence while Patrick Asmah and Christopher Nettey took over the full back duties.

Although, they conceded just a goal, the defence looked quite shaky at a point.

Mubarik was at fault for Abdul Fatawu Issahaku’s opener in the first game. The defence gave Dreams FC a lot of spaces to operate and if same openings are offered Bechem, things may look murkier than expected because they have a potent attack far more than Dreams.

Now, Bechem, following their 4-0 drubbing of Medeama last weekend, have had an early-season optimism that they could launch a long overdue title challenge this season. The Hunters have a belief to get close to the bludgeoning dominance that Hearts, Aduana Stars and to some larger extent Berekum Chelsea can inflict on other sides.

Kassim Mingle’s side believe they now have the men to do the job. At least, they bolstered their squad with Augustine Okrah who has seen it all both on the local front and on the continent as well – having even played in the semifinals of the prestigious Caf Champions League before with Al Hilal. Other players like Latif Anabila, Clinton Duodo and Avornyo are available to cause havoc.

Ogum must mustn’t use Mudasiru as a holding midfielder

In the last game, Mudasiru was brilliant especially in the second half and even scored the equaliser but that was when he was played in his favourite position. After Richard Boadu ‘Agadas’ was brought on to play the holding role and Mudasiru pushed forward, Kotoko began to dictate the pace.

They covered more spaces and had a larger ball possession since then and that led to the three goals scored. That obviously confirmed a lot of pundits’ predictions that Mudasiru is more effective upfront than when used for defensive duties.
He could even be partly blamed for the goal Issahaku scored for Dreams FC since he allowed the youngster to bully his way through – something any ‘proper’ defensive midfielder won’t allow.

Ogum must have his substitutions on point

Kotoko supporters hugely trusted Ogum when his tactical variation proved to be the antidote needed on Dreams FC.

With Kotoko down and a couple minutes away from tasting defeat on his debut, he brought on Lamptey and Isaac Oppong and the duo scored one goal each with the latter even providing two assists.

When things become difficult for Kotoko against Bechem, all eyes will be on Ogum and the decisions he will take. With Cameroonian import George Mfegue Rodrigues available, he could be called upon to save the day.

Kotoko being quick out of the blocks will be key to not only securing a victory but also allowing the players to have the luxury to play to the delight of the supporters watching at the stadium and those viewing from the comfort of their homes on television.