Defending champions of the betPawa Premier League, Asante Kotoko will lock horns with league leaders Aduana FC at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium at 6pm on Sunday.
Both sides boast of one win in their last five matches with the other three ending in a draw. Asante Kotoko are yet to win against Aduana FC in their last two home games – (2020-21 Asante Kotoko 0-1 Aduana FC, 2021-22 Asante Kotoko 1-1 Aduana FC).
The Porcupine Warriors sit in 5th place with 39 points having won one, drawn two and lost two in their last five matches whiles league leaders Aduana FC have won twice in their last five matches drawing two and losing two.
The Reds come into this game fresh from a 3-0 loss to Berekum Chelsea at the Golden City Park with Aduana FC needing a Frank Owusu goal to beat Accra Great Olympics 1-0 at the Nana Agyemang Badu Park at Dormaa.
Asante Kotoko have been boosted by the return of Richard Boadu from suspension. Dickson Afoakwa, Yussif Mubarik and Rashid Nortey are also back in the side after recovering from injuries.
Coach Abdulai Gazale is expected to parade a strong side against the Ogya lads with the likes of Richmond Lamptey, the club’s top scorer Steven Mukwala Desse (10 goals), Enoch Morrison, Mohammed Alhassan, Rocky Dwamena, Isaac Oppong and George Mfegue and gunning for a starting place.
Former Asante Kotoko players Emmanuel Gyamfi and Kwame Adom Frimpong will aim to impress their former employers when given the chance on Sunday. The two-time champions also boast of quality players like Isaac Mintah, Alex Boakye, Frank Owusu, Richard Danso and inform Joseph Addo.
The match will be broadcast live on StarTimes Adepa channel 247 at 6pm.
In other matches - Accra Great Olympics will aim for the points as they return to the WAFA Park at Sogakope to play against Tamale City. The Accra based team have moved their home venue to Sogakope for the remaining matches of the season. Tamale City won the first leg 2-1 with Raphael Essien and Sampson Eduku scoring whiles Offei Ofori Gideon scored for the Dade boys.
At Nsoatre – Nsoatreman FC will clash with the resurgent King Faisal at home after losing 2-1 to Hearts of Oak at the Accra Sports Stadium which extended their winless away run to 13 matches. King Faisal won the reverse fixture by 2-0 with Joseph Gordon and Godfred Asiamah getting the goals for them.
At the Theatre of Dreams at Dawu Strugglers Dreams FC will face FC Samartex 1996. Dreams FC have won once in their last five matches having lost three and drawn one of the matches and sit in 15th place with 31 points. Samartex have recorded two wins and three losses in their last five matches and occupies the 9th spot with 36 points.
Bibiani Gold Stars have a date with Berekum Chelsea at Dun’s Park whilst Karela United do battle with Maxwell Konadu’s Legon Cities at the CAM Park. The first round fixture ended 1-1 at the Sogakope Park with Emmanuel Owusu Boakye and Abdul Rahman netting for the sides.
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