[ 2014-06-07 ]

Can Inter Allies deny Kotoko FA Cup glory?
Inter Allies will seek to draw inspiration from an
emerging trend in the MTN FA Cup which seems
to favour less fancied by denying Kumasi Asante
Kotoko glory in tomorrow's FA Cup final at the
Accra Sports Stadium.

Since its revival four years ago, the FA Cup final
has turned into a playground for underdogs and
Tema-based Inter Allies hope tradition will favour
them to deny the Porcupine Warriors a league and
cup double.

After clinching the First Capital Plus Premier
League title last week, Kotoko would wish to seal
their fine season with the FA Cup which has eluded
them on two previous occasions when they lost to
underdogs.

Past experiences have taught the Porcupine
Warriors useful lessons in complacency which had
been their bane, losing the trophy to second-tier
side Nania FC and Medeama SC in their last two
final matches.

From that experience, the 'Kum Apem, Apem Beba'
lads are expected to approach tomorrow's clash
with cautious optimism and respect for their
opponents even in their determination to be third
time lucky in the FA Cup final since 2011. Both
sides have their eyes on the giant trophy, the
GH¢30,000 cash prize at stake and a ticket to
participate in the CAF Confederation Cup.

But as league champions, Kotoko will participate
in the more prestigious Champions League with a
performance that would atone for their 0-2 loss to
Aduana Stars in the last round of league matches
last Sunday.

While Kotoko go into battle without their head
trainer, Mas-Ud Didi Dramani, who is on national
duty scouting for the Black Stars, stand-in coach
Michael Osei will still have the services of all
the key actors whose efforts delivered their third
straight league title. Players such as Abeiku
Ainooson, Kwabena Adusei, Richard Mpong, Seidu
Bancey, who are all in fine form, will be under
pressure from the Kotoko faithful to ensure the
trophy does not elude them for the third time.

But standing in the way of Kotoko's ambition is
Herbert Addo, a former coach of the club who has
not only helped steer Inter Allies from the threat
of relegation but also taken them to the brink of
their first major title during their debut season
in the elite division. The veteran coach know
every trick in the book and will fancy denying his
former side their FA Cup title as he plots a
personal glory and the greatest achievement by
Inter Allies since their qualification last year
for the elite league.

In Baba Mensah, Salifu Abdul Fatawu, Diawudeen
Seidu, Karim Sadat and Niare Benogo, Coach Addo
has a strong team that can pull the brakes on
Kotoko just as they did in their 26th week league
fixture at Tema.

Source - Daily Graphic

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