The 2020 MTN FA Cup’s Round of 64 games lacked no thrills, shocks, and drama. But they taught lessons, too, and Daily Mail GH presents the most noteworthy.
1. SUNYANI DERBY STILL GOT IT
Ahead of a week that would find Sunyani at its most somber — with the late Queen-mother due to be buried — the Bono capital’s biggest clubs, B.A United and Tano Bofoakwa, combined forces to lift the collective mood. Games contested by these sworn cross-city rivals — traditional heavyweights on the domestic scene — have always been fierce, but with their recent struggles has come a drop in intensity. Sunday’s FA Cup clash — settled by a shootout that Bofoakwa won — served a reminder that there is certainly no love lost between the pair.
2. ALL HAIL WAFA, ‘KINGS OF VOLTA’
Heart of Lions, once lords of football in Ghana’s Volta Region, have fallen. Since Lions’ relegation from the Premier League in 2015, Sogakope-based West African Football Academy (WAFA) has occupied their throne, and the two sides’ FA Cup tie could have been interpreted as a duel to settle the ‘Kings of Volta’ challenge. WAFA, 2-1 winners in Kpando, affirmed their dominance.
3. KOTOKO ARE A MESS
With one win in five league games, Kotoko were on the verge of entering shock mode, and the manner of their latest setback — defeat in Dormaa to Aduana Stars — was even more alarming. Beating lower-tier Asokwa Deportivo was supposed to offer Kotoko some respite and calm fans’ growing fears, but even that ‘simple’ task was bungled by a 2-1 loss. Crisis, furious and flaming, has just engulfed Kumasi. Or is it, er, Accra?
4. FAISAL TEACH NOTHING NEW
Kotoko may have enjoyed little Cup cheer, but neighbors King Faisal had themselves a ball, striking Thunderbolt FC 6-0. Still, Faisal’s first win in 12 games — they haven’t won any of their 11 thus far in the league — taught us little we haven’t already learnt about them this season. We knew they could score plenty — only three Premier League clubs have been more prolific — however, keeping a clean sheet against third-tier opponents is nothing to be overly excited about. But, hey, can you begrudge them for thinking a corner has been turned?
5. DORMAA ISN’T INVINCIBLE
We’re already losing count of how many games have passed since Aduana last lost at home in the league, and it isn’t like that’s ending anytime soon. In the FA Cup, though, the Nana Agyemang Badu I Park’s aura of invincibility has been breached, following Bechem United’s bold 2-1 victory. Even better, the 2016 winners did it with eleven men. Can you believe that, Kotoko?
NY Frimpong — Daily Mail GH
