By Patrick Akoto
Asante Kotoko boss Maxwell Konadu says the sideââ¬â¢s draw against New Edubiase will act as a "wake-up call" after admitting his players "got a little bit ahead of themselves."
Kotoko needed a last gasp equalizer from an unlikely source in left-full back Baba Abdul Rahman to save their blushes in earning a 1-1 draw against the Bekwai-based side in the Ghana Premier League over the weekend.
The results saw their 10-point lead cut to eight with in-form Edubiase goal-getter Emmanuel Baffoe increasing his goal tally to 17 by scoring the opener at the Baba Yara Stadium.
The Porcupine Warriors will play struggling Wassaman United on April 8 at the newly re-grassed Tarkwa and Aboso Park.
But their next fixture against their sworn rivals Hearts of Oak in the countryââ¬â¢s version of the ââ¬ËEl-Classicoââ¬â¢ seven days later is what is raising the stakes.
The ex-All Stars boss who is serving a touchline ban says his players must cast off the shackles.
"The draw was very shocking for us but I also believe it could be a blessing in disguise ahead some crucial matches,"
"They (Edubiase) left us wonder in the game and seriously I was sweating profusely from the stands. We took the ball, did not do a lot with and made the mistakes. At the end of the day, we were just lucky to get a point.
"Each football game is a new start. It is not what you have made before that decides the game; it is what you produce on the day.
Konadu added: "There are big matches ahead and surely the one against Hearts of Oak come to mind readily. We shouldnââ¬â¢t get ahead of ourselves and concentrate on the game at Wassaman on Sunday first before we start to think of them (Hearts)
"We have a good opportunity to respond at Wassaman on Sunday,ââ¬