Match Preview: Asante Kotoko vs RC Kadiogo, Team News, Predicted Lineups & TV Coverage
Asante Kotoko host Burkina Faso side RC Kadiogo for Caf Champions League first preliminary round second leg at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Sunday.
The Porcupine Warriors will be heading into the second leg with a 1-0 win from the first leg at Cotonou last Monday. The win becomes Kotoko’s first away victory in the Caf Champions League since 2013 after beating Sony de Ela Nguema of Equatorial Guinea at the own backyard 9 years ago.
Asante Kotoko won the first leg at Kumasi 7-0 before claiming another 1-0 victory in the return leg in Malabo.
The first leg game in Benin was initially scheduled at Stade Yamoussoukro in Ivory Coast but was later moved to the Friendship Stadium in Cotonou. After CAF approving Kotoko’s traditional home grounds, the second leg clash will take place at the Kumasi Baba Yara Sports Stadium, a venue known to be a fierce ground for the Ghana Premier League giants.
Asante Kotoko will have to continue their dominance from the first leg to progress into the second preliminary round of the African Champions League where they would meet either AS Vita Club or Gaborone United. Kotoko dominated the entire on-and-off-the-pitch incidents in the first leg in Benin.
Most African journalists who had travelled to cover the game and other Caf Champions League fixtures at the match venue tipped Kotoko to win and were more concerned about Kotoko’s team news prior to kickoff. And the Ghanaian side outplayed the Burkina Faso side with Isaac Oppong’s late strike completely sinking RC Kadiogo in Benin.
The winger has recently received praises from former Hearts of Oak star and Ghanaian International Bernard Don Bortey after the retired footballer labeling Isaac Oppong as his replacement. Isaac Oppong is tipped the start in the second leg clash but faces competition from the likes of Dickson Afoakwa and Stephen Amankona. RC Kadiogo boss Amadou Sampo is having a nightmare of Isaac Oppong and the teenager will be among the few players Sampo will tactically monitor on the pitch.
But that will be difficult for Sampo to achieve due to Oppong’s continual switch of position with George Mfegue. And that tactical deployment has made Seydou Zerbo’s men a strong team and was evident in the first leg after Oppong switching from the left side to score at the right side of the park within a period.
Asante Kotoko are not new to Burkina Faso clubs having met ASFA Yennenga, Etoile Filante and this Sunday’s opposition in the past.
Kotoko have always been the dominant force against Burkina sides with the exception of 1979 CAF Cup Winners Cup clash against RC Kadiogo that the Burkina side emerged superior following a 5-3 penalties victory over Kotoko in Kumasi. Kotoko had won the first leg in Burkina Faso 1-0 but lost the return leg in Ghana 1-0 and continued to fall on penalty shootout after 90′ minutes.
With this season’s game providing the same scenario, the Porcupine Warriors may have to be vigilant and learn from the past come Sunday.
Rial Club du Kadiogo will have to be prepared to feel the Baba Yara Stadium phobia that is when the Reds settle in early but the Burkina side could rest for a while when Asante Kotoko have a hard start to the game. The likes of Zesco United, Nkana Red Devils, Etoile Sportive du Sahel, Kano Pillars, San Pedro and ASEC Mimosas have fallen at tomorrow’s match venue in recent years and RC Kadiogo could any exception.
A pull of surprise could however also mean a great deal for the Burkina Faso outfit who did similar in 1979 after beating Asante Kotoko at their own backyard.
Team News- Asante Kotoko
Asante Kotoko have had squad boost for the second leg after the return of some key men who missed the clash in Benin due to injuries. Ivorian International Eric Serge Zeze, Patrick Asamah, Maxwell Agyemang have all resumed training since the club’s return from Benin.
Last season’s top scorer Franck Thierry Etouga Mbella would still miss tomorrow’s game after failing to join camp for the second leg. The Cameroonian International is having some issues with management that he needs to resolve including a potential move away from Asante Kotoko as the attacker is said to be closing in on a move to Egyptian side Al Masry.
Former captain Abdul Ganiyu who missed the first leg trip due to tension with club’s management will also miss the second leg after failing to settle dispute in game’s time. Apart from Mbella and Ganiyu whose availability for selection remains huge doubt, all the players are available for RC Kadiogo in Kumasi.
Current team captain speaks ahead of game
Asante Kotoko captain, Richard Boadu, says his side is ready for the game against RC Kadiogo in the preliminary stage of the CAF Champions League.
“Sunday’s game is very important for all of us and we know it’s not going to be easy but we are ready for it,” Boadu said.
“We all read about the history [of Kotoko in the Champions League], however, this is our time to also make history and for us as players, our immediate target is to reach the group stage. The coach has been fantastic and he relates very well with us.”
Boss Seydou Zerbo speaks
Sharing his thought on what the fans should expect, head coach, Seydou Zerbo added, “This is a press conference and I won’t sit here to tell you the system we are going to deploy so you just have to come on Sunday and see how we will play.”
“I know Kadiogo very well, their system of play is always to attack, however we need to be focused throughout the ninety minutes”, he stated.
Players at camp
Mosie Pouaty, Federick Asare, Ibrahim Danlad, Augustine Agyapong, Christopher Nettey, Patrick Asmah, John Tedeku, Maxwell Agyemang, Sherif Mohammed, Yussif Mubarik, Andrew Appau, Richard Boadu, Richmond Lamptey, Ernest Osei Poku, Nicholas Osei Bonsu, Nicholas Mensah, Enock Morrisson, Samuel Boateng, George Mfegue, Steven Mukwala, Isaac Oppong, Eric Serge Zeze, Patrick Asamah, Maxwell Agyemang.
Team News- RC Kadiogo
The Burkina Faso side have arrived in Kumasi since last Thursday and held first training session on Friday afternoon. The team is expected to continue their training Saturday.
Asante Kotoko predicted XI: Ibrahim Danlad (GK), Christopher Nettey, Sherif Mohammed, Yussif Mubarik, John Tedeku, Richard Boadu, Richmond Lamptey, Enock Morrison, George Mfugue, Steven Mukwala, Isaac Oppong.
RC Kadiogo predicted XI: Aboubacar Sawadogo (GK), Ben Daouda Nikiema, Cheick Oumar Konseiga, Ferdinand Ouedraogo, Ben Daouda Sidibe, Moumouni Kabore, Aboubacar Sidiki Trore, Abdoulaye Toure, Dramane Kambou, Narcisse Hein, Bassiaka Sylla.
TV Coverage
The game will not be live on TV in Ghana. However, fans can search on YouTube and Facebook for live streaming feeds.
