Asante Kotoko will tussle with Accra Lions on Matchday 21 of the Ghana Premier League at the Baba Yara Sports stadium on Wednesday. The Porcupine Warriors who have won only once in the second round of the season are in dire need of a win to push their title aspirations.
Asante Kotoko suffered a 1-0 loss to Karela United on Saturday to drop to the 3rd spot in the League table with 32 points having won 3 and lost 2 in their last 5 League outings. The Porcupine Warriors head into with a total number of 18 home points – after conceding 3 and scoring at the Baba Yara Sports stadium.
Accra Lions, who are unbeaten in their last two league games with back to back clean sheets, defeated Berekum Chelsea 5-0 after holding Legon Cities to a goalless draw at Sogakope. With one game in hand, Accra Lions are 14th in the League log with 24 points having won 2, drawn 2 and lost 1 in their last 5 matches and boast 9 points on the road with 7 goals scored and 13 goals conceded.
Asante Kotoko have played Accra Lions twice in the league since 2021/22 season with Asante Kotoko winning both encounters. Asante Kotoko beat Accra Lions 3-1 in 2021/22 and won 4-0 in the 2022/23 season.
Top scorer Stephen Mukwala Desse aims to add to his 8 goal tally against Accra Lions after going barren in their last three games. Richmond Lamptey, Peter Acquah, Henry Ansu, Justice Blay, Nicholas Bonsu, Rocky Dwamena, Nicholas Mensaah, John Tedeku and Serge Zeze also available for the game.
Accra Lions boast a formidable squad that comprises Ali Mohammed, Dominic Amponsah, Baba Salifu Apiiga, Daniel Awuni, Blessing Dankwah, Samuel Gyimah, Ibrahim Issa, Shawkan Mohammed, Sadat Seidu and Mohammed Yahaya.
The game will be live on StarTimes Adepa channel 247 at 6pm on Wednesday.
At Sogakope - Great Olympics will host Karela United at WAFA Park aiming for the points after falling 3-0 to Bibiani Gold Stars on Sunday.
The Dade Boys are 9th in the table with 27 points, having won 3 and lost 2 in their last 5 games with one defeat, five wins and four draws at home. They have accumulated 19 points at home, conceded 3 and scored 9 league goals.
Karela United have moved out of the relegation Zone after the two wins and one defeat in the 2nd round of the League as they currently sit in 15th position with 23 points. Abubakari Damba’s side have amassed only 5 points on the road - scored 6 and conceded 15 goals.
Accra Great Olympics are unbeaten in three meetings against Karela United at home since 2020/21 season. They drew goalless in their first meeting in 2020/20210 - 1-1 in 2021/22 before winning 1-0 in the 2022/23 season.
Top scorer Emmanuel Antwi, returnee Gladson Awako, top marksman Razak Kasim, Christopher Nettey and Richard Botchway are all available for selection. Others are Mathew Abayase, Albert Amoah, Abednego Asafo, Raymond Grippman and Yusif Razak.
Karela United go into the game with fully fit squad. Giyasu Ibrahim who netted the winner against Asante Kotoko, Emmanuel Anaful, Abdul-Raman Yaya, Fatawu Mohammed, Abdul Latif, Mohammed Asigre Sulemana, Mohammed Awal, Maxwell Arthur, Rashid Alhassan, Solomon Aboagye and Samuel Atta Kumi are all pushing for the game on Wednesday.
The game will be live on StarTimes Adepa channel 247 at 3pm on Wednesday.
Elsewhere at the Golden City Park, Berekum Chelsea will lock horns with two-time champions Aduana FC in the battle of former champions.
Berekum Chelsea are currently 6th in the league table with 30 points, while Aduana FC sits in the second spot with 33 points – two points adrift of second placed FC Samartex and three points ahead of their host.
Berekum Chelsea have won 1, drawn 1 and lost 3 in their last 5 games and have managed to accumulate 20 points – scored 10 and conceded 2 at the Golden City Park. Berekum Chelsea are among the top 5 clubs with the most number of points earned at home.
Former champions Aduana FC have one outstanding game against Medeama SC but are still in contention for their third Premier League title.
They go into the game on the back of 3 wins and 2 defeats in their last five League games and are currently 2nd in the league table with 33 points with 2 points separating them from leaders, FC Samartex 1996. They’ve managed to accumulate 6 points on the road – the 5th lowest in the league.
Berekum Chelsea goes into the game with players like Zakaria Fuseini, Afriyie Mizack, Ahmed Adams, Prince Anane, Yaw Dankwah, Awuah Dramani, Augustine Henneh and Frank Oppong all available.
Bright Adjei who smashed home the winner against Legon Cities on Sunday, will hope to add to his goal tally with the likes of Sam Adams, Emmanuel Gyamfi, Richard Mahama, Zakaria Mumuni, Rich Sackey, Kyeremeh Silas, Richard Tetteh, Alex Boakye and Anderson Asamoah complimenting him.
Finally on Wednesday, leaders FC Samartex 1996 will take on Nsoatreman FC at the Nsenkyire Sports Complex in Samreboi. Both sides are without a point in their last two league games.
FC Samartex 1996 have suffered back to back defeats against Nations FC and Behem United while Nsoatreman FC lost to Accra Hearts of Oak and Dreams FC.
The Timber Boys have lost just 1 game at home – won 8, scored 18 and conceded 3 goals. They are the second best club in the league with most home points (24).
Nsoatreman FC have picked up 30 points and are 5th in the table, having won 2 and lost 3 in their last 5 league games. The Nsoatre lads have won 3, drawn 2, suffered 5 defeats - scored 8 and conceded 12 league goals.
The two clubs have met only once in the league since the 2020/21 season with FC Samartex 1996 winning 2-0 in the 2022/23.
Youngster Baba Hamadu Musa (8 goals) is expected to start for FC Samartex 1996 following his blistering start to life at Sameraboi after his transfer from Skyy FC. Former Tema Youth winger Evans Osei Wusu, Emmanuel Adu Siaw, Ebenezer Acquah, Richmond Darko, Emmanuel Keyekeh, Emmanuel Mamah, Samuel Tetteh Mensah, Ebenezer Ocran and Dauda Yussif Seidu are all fit for the game.
For Nsoatreman FC, the likes of Abdul Manaf Umar, Stephan Diyou. Walid Neymah Fuseini, Meider Kwabena, Mohammed Issaka, Philip Ofori, Eric Osei Bonsu, Ransford Asokwah, Bortey Acquaye and Mohammed Abdul Rahaman are all fit for the game.
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