Accra Lions Team manager Ishmael Hamidu, has called for a very ‘fair officiating’ in his team’s Ghana Premier League crucial matchday 17 clash against Asante Kotoko.
Asante Kotoko leads the table with 33 points – 4 points richer than second placed Bechem United and 14 points ahead of Accra Lions who are 14th in the League table with 19 points.
The Porcupine Warriors head into the game on the back of a 2-1 loss to bottom placed Elmina Sharks on Monday to suffer only their second defeat of the season.
With one game – (though Asante Kotoko have fewer matches) to end the first round of the elite competition, the new boys have huffed and puffed in recent weeks having amassed only 19 points after 16 Premier League games (a possible 45) and sit in 14th place in the League log – needing a major recovery to save their season.
The defeat to Elmina Sharks ended Asante Kotoko’s eight match winning run bringing to an end their longest winning run in two seasons – reducing the point gap at the top of the table after 16 matches.
Meanwhile, Accra Lions, who only qualified to the Premier League this season have won 5, lost 7 and drawn 4 of their matches and find themselves in the bottom half of the League table – one point above Legon Cities and 8 points ahead of Elmina Sharks who languish at the bottom with 11 points from 16 matches.
They have won only twice in their last six outings following two defeats to AshantiGold (1-0) and Berekum Chelsea (3-1), a 1-0 win against Medeama SC and Legon Cities as well as two stalemates against WAFA (0-0) and Aduana FC (1-1).
Speaking ahead of the game in an interview with Oyerepa FM, Hamidu said:
“All that we are hoping for is a very good officiating. Once we get fair refereeing, we will surely pick the three points against Asante Kotoko on Saturday at the Baba Yara Stadium,”
The match which will kick off at 3pm at the Baba Yara Sports stadium will be shown live on StarTimes Adepa Channel 247.
