Ghana’s champion club, Kumasi Asante Kotoko, have a Hobson’s choice in their Confederation Cup match against Etoile Sahel at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi on Saturday,Oct 4th.

My dictionary tells me that Hobson’s choice is where there is no alternative to the thing being offered. And this is exactly where Asante Kotoko find themselves. They have no choice but to win the match if they intend maintaining interest in the competition which has seen all four clubs in the group including Kabylie of Algeria and Mirreikh of Sudan, winning their home matches. The group table shows an interesting statistics of all four teams bagging six points apiece separated only by goal difference.

It is really a testing time for the Porcupine Warriors and the handlers would have to quickly check the seeming player indiscipline and motivate the players to put up their best behaviour on the pitch always keeping in mind that the referee has the final authority and must be respected as such.

It may be impossible to have a full house. Saturdays are traditionally reserved for funerals, especially in Kumasi but it is my expectation that the magnitude of the match would compel die hard supporters of Kotoko to adjust their programmes and storm the Stadium in their numbers to cheer their idol club to victory.

Anything short of victory will take the competitive spirit out of Kotoko’s last match against Mirreikh in Sudan and this is something Kotoko must avoid. The team will definitely be under pressure to perform but it is hoped the players would not unnecessarily burn themselves out for a perceived morale boosting early goal, but pace themselves well in the tropical sun to last the full distance and earn a well deserved victory.

The goals could come at any time including time added on and there should be less panicking.