Kumasi Asante Kotoko has the chance to enter the top four this afternoon when they face Kotoku Royals at the Theater of Dreams – Dawu.
The Porcupine Warriors currently trail fourth-placed Bechem United by two points, but a win over Kotoku Royals today would see them leapfrog both Samartex and Gold Stars.
Coach Abdulai Gazale will be without m some of his key players, Steven Mukwala, Isaac Oppong, Sherrif Mohamed, Eric Zeze, and Charles Owusu. The aforementioned players are all on the injury list, except the defender Mohammed Sherrif who has been suspended due to yellow card accumulation.
The Kumasi giants are winless in their Premier League games (D2 L1), Indeed, they’ve also failed to score more than once in any of these three games.
But this lightweight encounter gives them the chance to bounce back, having thrashed the Royals 5-1 in the first round.
Danlad Ibrahim has returned to the team to replace the injured Frederick Asare but Moise Poauty is starting the game ahead of Danlad. The Black Meteors goalie has missed nine of Kotoko’s last ten games. He last played for Kotoko during their game against Berekum Chelsea.
Below Is Kotoko’s starting XI to face Kotoku Royals:
Moise Poauty
Augustine Agyapong
John Tedeku
Andrews Appau
Mubarik Yussif
Justice Blay
Rocky Dwamena
Dickson Afoakwa
Lamptey Richmond Nii
Mfegue Georges
Taylor Solomon Sarfo