By David Tagoe
The atmosphere as far as Ghana football scene was concerned prior to last Sunday was that of dourness, lifelessness and indifference to the Glo Premier League.
But all that has since changed, and given way to a euphoric atmosphere ahead of the clash of the titans.
A 2-1 win last Saturday over Liberty Professionals, and a 3-0 drubbing of Aduana Stars by Accra Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante Kotoko respectively, are what both jaded teams owe the euphoric atmosphere being created in the run up to their 22nd week Glo Premier League encounter to.
Both teams, who have won the league in Ghana more than any other team, have been hit by lack of quality players, resulting in lackluster outings, which have expectedly produced a litany of poor results, with their cumulative effects of fans shying away from matches of these two sides.
Last Sunday at the Baba Yara Stadium, Asante Kotoko asserted their seniority over Aduana Stars, who beat them 2-0 in the first round, and this has given their followers hope that the team is gradually getting into a shape that will guarantee it a respectable berth at the end of the season.
The wins recorded by both teams over the weekend have given back to their followers their vocal chords, and as we inch closer to their tie slated for the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday, the pre-match hype comments laced with taunts and mention of metaphysics have already started, and one wonders whether adequate preparations are being made ahead of the game.
As the day approaches, and with the enthusiasm both sets of fans are showing, soaring by the day, organizers of the match, which will see the clash of two Serbs, need no telling the arduous tasks that lie ahead of them, in terms of security and anything that would ensure an incident-free match.
Characteristic of a Hearts-Kotoko match, a few fans on the lunatic fringe may want to engage in acts of football lunacy, which will sometimes end in small fights here and there.
But with heads well screwed on their necks, and as cool as cucumber, security personnel who would be detailed at the stadium to discharge security duties, should be able to make decisions devoid of errors of regrettable judgment.
The encounter will no doubt be one filled with tension, thrills and excitement, but let no one lose their head and do something with unpleasant results eventually.
Meanwhile, let the pre-match hype go on unabated.
Source: The Chronicle