Karela United have a date with Asante Kotoko at Naa Sheriga Sports Centre at Nalerigu on Saturday. While Asante Kotoko defeated Bibiani GoldStars 1-0, Karela United suffered a 3-0 loss to Berekum Chelsea on Matchday 19 of the Ghana Premier League.
Karela United are temporarily out of the relegation zone as they sit in 15th place in the League table with 20 points - having won 1, drawn 2 and suffered 2 defeats in their last 5 encounters.
Karela United have lost just once at home with a total of 15 points, scoring 9 and conceding 8 League goals on home soil. The club has now moved venue to Nalerigu following a difficult spell at the Aliu Mahama Sports stadium in Tamale.
Asante Kotoko’s victory over Bibiani God Stars moved them to 2nd place in the league table with 32 points - 3 points adrift of leaders FC Samartex 1996 having won 3, drawn 1 and lost 1 in their last 5 games. The Porcupine Warriors have managed 14 points on the road - the highest in the league so far – scored 12 and conceded 10 goals.
Karela United hopes to grab the spoils against Asante Kotoko to continue their dominance over the Reds in recent meetings.
Karela United have played Asante Kotoko three times at home since 2020/21 and have won one, drawn one and suffered one defeat in the process. In the 2020/21 season, Karela United lost 2-0 to Asante Kotoko, drew 0-0 in the 2021/22 season before winning 1-0 in the 2022/23 season.
Karela United go into the game with players like Emmanuel Anaful, Solomon Aboagye, Rashid Alhassan, Maxwell Arthur, Mohammed Asigre Sulemana, Awal Mohammed, Umar Faruk, Giyasu Ibrahim, Abdul Latif and Abdul Raman Yaya.
Asante Kotoko top scorer Stephen Mukwala Desse is available for the game and hopes to extend his 8 goal tally. The Porcupine Warriors also boasts Justice Blay, Enock Morrison, Peter Acquah, Henry Ansu, Rocky Dwamena, Micheal Kyei, Yusif Nurudeen, Kalo Ouattara, new signing Emmanuel Kotei and John Tedeku.
The game will be broadcast live on StarTimes Adepa channel 247 at 3pm on Saturday, March 09, 2024.
Meanwhile, Accra Lions will square off with Berekum Chelsea at the WAFA Park, in Sogakope in the other Premier Saturday fixture.
Accra Lions have one game in hand against champions Medeama SC – and occupies the 14th spot in the league table with 21 points, having lost 2, drawn 2 and recorded 1 win in their last 5 games.
Accra Lions have picked up 12 points - the lowest home points build - scoring 10 and conceding 13 league goals, while, Berekum Chelsea are placed in 6th place with 30 points. The Bebiries have recorded 2 wins, 1 draw and suffered 2 defeats in their last 5 Premier League games.
Berekum Chelsea will yearn for all the points as they travel to Sogakope to battle with Accra Lions who are yet to record a win first win since Matchday 16.
Accra Lions have played Berekum Chelsea twice at home and won both since the 2020/21 season. In the 2021/22 season, Accra Lions defeated Berekum Chelsea 2-0 and repeated it in the 2022/23 season with a 2-1 win.
Accra Lions go into the game with a very strong squad despite losing right back Remember Adomako to the Black Satellites. The likes of Shawkan Mohammed, Frederick Asante, Daniel Awuni, Blessing Dankwah, Samuel Gyimah, Ibrahim Issa, Ali Mohammed, Mohammed Yahaya, Sadat Seidu and Baba Salifu Apiiga are all available for selection.
Samuel Boadu will lead Chelsea for the first time this season after joining them on Tuesday following the departure of Christopher Ennin. The former Accra Hearts of Oak and Medeama SC coach who has been unemployed since September 2022 will be tested at Sogakope on Saturday.
Afriyie Mizack who scored a hat-trick against Karela United on Matchady 19 is available for selection. Others include, Prince Anane, Yaw Dankwah, Awuah Dramani, Zakaria Fuseini, Augustine Henneh, Flavien Kwasi, Frank Oppong and Emmanuel Sarpong.
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