The hurly-burly of electioneering activities is over and the Ghana Premier League (GPL) is back this weekend, starting with Asante Kotoko playing as hosts to struggling Legon Cities at the Accra sports stadium on Friday.
Asante Kotoko will on Friday, December 11, return to GPL action as they host Legon Cities in a matchday five fixture on Friday, where both sides are hopeful of recording a first win of the ongoing campaign.
Asante Kotoko were held to a 1-1 home draw by Eleven Wonders in their season opener, and are hopeful of securing a first win against the Royals as the two teams face off on Friday.
TEAM NEWS
Asante Kotoko
This will be only the third match for the Porcupine Warriors in the league this season having played two matches so far out of the 4 fixtures, drawing both games against Eleven Wonders and Berekum Chelsea respectively. This is due to their participation in the ongoing CAF Champions League.
Asante Kotoko held their last training session in Kumasi at the club’s usual training grounds at Adako Jachie, Kumasi on Thursday morning before the trip to Accra ahead of Friday’s game. The team departed Kumasi for Accra on Thursday afternoon after their last training held. The team left Kumasi at 2:00 pm local time.
Injury Updates: Goalkeeper and skipper of the side Felix Van Annan remains out of the game due to an injury he picked in his right thigh against Berekum Chelsea on match day two, and is not available for Friday’s clash with Legon Cities. Annan has currently started gym works to step up his recovery, but has been ruled out of the Cities game.
Moreover, midfielder Mudasiru Salifu, who has been on the injury list since November 4, is still recovering and not available for the game on Friday. Coach Maxwell Konadu has all other players available for selection as he names the squad to face the Royals.
Legon Cities
Legon Cities Football Club have played all 4 matches in the 2020/2021 GPL season, but have not won a single one of them. The Royals have played four (4) matches, drawn 3 and and lost 1. Three of the four matches were handled by Bosnian coach Goran Barjaktarevic, who got fired by the club in late November for poor performance.
The Royals are now being coached by former Asante Kotoko and Ashanti Gold SC coach Bashir Hayford, who has already guided them to an away draw against Dreams FC in their last premier league outing.
Coach Bashir Hayford, who guided Asante Kotoko to win the 2007/2008 premier league title, will lead the Royals on Friday against his former employers as both clubs chase their first win of the season.
Former Asante Kotoko midfielder Baba Mahama is available for coach Hayford’s side, and is likely to pair Braimah Foster in the midfield, together with Cephas Doku and Nicholas Mensah.
Elvis Opoku and Rafael Ocloo are expected to return to the team after missing the match against Dreams FC due to the coach’s variations in tactics. Captain Fatau Dauda is expected to start in goal, with other names like Michael Ampadu, Nat Akwa, Mohammed Suleiman, Joseph Adjei, Braimah Foster, Nicholas Mensah, Baba Mahama, Jonah Attuquaye, David Cudjoe, and Cephas Doku may start the game against Asante Kotoko. Former Ghana captain Asamoah Gyan may also be handed a debut start for the Royals on Friday against the Porcupines.
MATC FACTS
- Legon Cities have not won a league at the Accra sports stadium in their last 4 outings (D2, L2)
- Legon Cities have not won in their last 4 league matches played this season (D3, L1)
- Asante Kotoko are yet to win a league match this season in their last 2 matches (D2, L0)
HEAD TO HEAD
Founded in January 2006, Legon Cities, then Wa All Stars, first came into the GPL in the 2007/2008 season and have faced Asante Kotoko in a total of 22 league matches.
Asante Kotoko have won 13, drawn 5 and lost 4 to Legon Cites. The Porcupines have also scored 27 goals and conceded 12 in their 22 league matches against Legon Cities.
Legon Cities, the “Royals” as they are called, have won 4, drawn 5 and lost 13 league matches against Asante Kotoko. They have scored just 12 goals and conceded 27 against the record league champions. In the last 5 league matches between the two sides, Asante Kotoko have won 4 and lost just 1.
The game has been scheduled for Friday, December 11, 2020 at 6:00pm local time at the Accra sports stadium.
MATCH OFFICIALS:
REFEREE: SELORM YAO BLESS
ASSISTANTS: COURAGE KUEDUFIA & ISAAC ASANTE
4TH REFEREE: PHLIP ATTA FORSON
MATCH COMMISSIONER: AUGUSTINE ASANTE