Kotoko To Push League To Wire

Asante Kotoko�s jump from the fifth to the third spot on the log, with only six matches remaining, has further heightened the tension and uncertainty at the top which could push the Premier League down to the wire. Hearts of Oak have held onto the upper parts of the ladder for a long spell, albeit in a weak manner, and the replacement of Serbian Kosta Papic with Nii Noi Thompson is yet to yield dividend. After his first match in the hot seat last Sunday, drawing 1-1 against RTU, Coach Thompson has realised that the problems of Hearts go beyond the pitch, and they are not as easy as they seem from afar.Of course, the temperature in Hearts is by far higher than Liberty Professionals and Bechem Chelsea where he last coached and the impatient fans have already given him signals of what awaits him. But the coach is aware that the only thing that could silence the fans and win their hearts is producing good results, and that challenge begins tomorrow against All Blacks at Swedru. With only six points separating them and second-on-the-table Lions, and seven points from Kotoko, the pressure on Coach Thompson is understandably high. All Blacks are already drowning, and its always dangerous playing against such teams. Stuck at the 15th position from the 16-club league, All Blacks have adopted �operation home wins� to lift themselves from the relegation zone. Hsaacas and King Faisal have already fallen into the trap and Hearts must be wary of it. The Swedru Stadium is expected to be filled as the Ooze Ooza boys will rely greatly on their vociferous home fans to intimidate both the referee and the visiting team. But Coach Thompson must be familiar with such an atmosphere, just as his players, and should re-write the script for Hearts. Kotoko�s resurgence faces a challenge against sensational Bechem Chelsea at the Sunyani Coronation. Chelsea�s 1-0 away win against Tema Youth should send clear signals to Coach Herbert Addo who is yet to lose a match since taking over weeks ago. But Kotoko�s gaze on the title, as well as the return of Samuel Inkoom and Harrison Afful from The Sudan, will be enough motivation for them. Lions are away to Hasaacas at the Sekondi Stadium, Ashgold host Arsenal at the Len Clay Stadium, and King Faisal welcome Kessben to the Baba Yara Stadium. Liberty Professionals� return to the Dansoman Park has started yielding results, and they are expected to scale over Wise at the Dansoman Park, while Tema Youth are tipped to worsen the woes of relegation-threatened Sporting Mirren. At Wa, All Stars will host RTU in an all Northern affair.