The outstanding league game of the Ghana Premier League on match day two between Asante Kotoko and Ashanti Gold will kick off at exactly 4pm this afternoon, at the Baba Yara Stadium.
The game had to be rescheduled by the PLB due to Ashgold’s CAF Champions league tie in Algeria.
A regional derby and most especially a face-saving game. The Obuasi lads have one win and a draw whiles the Porcupines are yet to pick a win, with a loss on match day one and a drawn game on Sunday against Medeama SC.
These two clubs are meeting against the backdrop of being unimpressive in their previous league games. Kotoko is under huge pressure to perform after doing so well during the off-season and probably pick their first win of the season.
Supporters of Ashgold were left worried as the club drew goalless with Berekum Chelsea on match day three but first team coach, Bashiru Hayford, said he was satisfied with the outcome of the results.
Clashes between them in Kumasi have been a tall order and an insurmountable task for Ashgold to overcome since their first meeting on the 17th of Nov 1985.
Since then they have played a total of 56 league matches with the porcupine warriors having the lion’s share, winning 25 times whiles Ashgold have enjoyed 13 victories with 18 ending in stalemates.
In Kumasi, they have engaged each other on 26 occasions with Kotoko boasting of 17 wins as against 1 loss and 8 drawn games; stamping their authority and supremacy.
Specifically on match day two, the current league winners have played two league games as visitors to other clubs, and are yet to pick a win. They have lost one and drawn one, scored just a goal and conceded four goals.
Against Asante Kotoko on match day two, they are winless with four (4) losses, one(1) drawn game, scoring two(2) and conceding nine (9) goals in addition.
The Club of The Century on the other hand, are yet to lose a game on match day two since 1999, won eight (8), drawn two (2), scored 23 and allowed in six (6) goals.
Since 1999, Kotoko has played a total of 19 matches on the month of March. The Porcupines have won ten (10) times, lost six (6) and drawn three (3); scored 30 and picked 17 goals from their nets.
Ashgold, since the same period till now, have lost 12 times, drawn 3 and won 4; scored 12 and conceded 21 goals.
In a more refreshing news for Kotoko, youngster Dauda Mohammed has been passed fit and could featured against Ashgold.
National team goalie, Fatau Mohammed has seen his place taken by Robert Dabuo over poor form displayed off-late.
Probable Line-ups
Asante Kotoko: Ofori Antwi, Amos Frimpong (C), Eric Donkor, Ahmed Adams, Osei Agyemang – Theophilus Nyame, Stephen Nyarko, Bennett Ofori, Obed Owusu, Akwasi Nti and Michael Yeboah
Ashanti Gold: Robert Dabuo,Tijani Joshua, Kadri Mohammed, Awudu Nafiu, Amos Addai, Eric Opoku (C), Alhassan Nuhu, Fredrick Quayeson, Nuhu Fuseini, Godfred Rockson and Atto Bissah.
