Hearts of Oak vs Asante Kotoko confirmed lineups as Sulley Muntari starts while Justice Blay dropped
In the biggest fixture on Ghana’s football calendar, both Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko have named a strong starting lineup to squad off at the Accra Sports Stadium.
For the hosts, former Inter Milan and AC Milan midfielder, Sulley Muntari has been giving a starting position in middle of the pitch along with Salim Ibrahim and Abdul Aziz Nuredeen in three man midfield.
Overall, Samuel Boadu has made three changes to the side that drew at Real Tamale United with Mohammed Alhassan, Robert Addo Sower and Kwadwo Obeng Jr coming in for James Sewornu, Caleb Amankwah and Isaac Mensah respectively.
The likes of Dennis Korsah, Fatawu Mohammed, Salim Adams, Sulley Muntari, Gladson Awako, Aziz Nuredeen and Afriyie Barnieh maintain their places. Meanwhile, club’s top scorer Kofi Kordzi is also missing from the starting XI this afternoon.
On the other side, Dr. Prosper Narteh Ogum has made three changes to the XI that thrashed Accra Lion 3-1 at the Baba Yara Stadium last weekend.
Imoro Ibrahim, Mudasiru Slaifu and George Mfegue come in for Patrick Asmah, Justice Blay and Samuel Boateng respectively. Blay who scored the only goal in Kotoko’s 1-0 victory against Hearts at Accra Stadium two seasons ago has been dropped to the bench.
However, the major boost is that George Mfegue who missed last weekend’s game against Accra Lions starts from the left wing while his compatriot Etouga Mbella who tops the GPL goal king chat with 11 goals leads the lines for Asante Kotoko.
Hearts of Oak XI; Richard Atta, Fatawu Mohammed, Mohammed Alhassan, Robert Sowah, Dennis Korsah, Salim Adama, Abdul Aziz Nuredeen, Sulley Muntari, Gladson Awako, Afriyie Barnieh, Kwadwo Obeng Jr,
Asante Kotoko XI: Ibrahim Danlad, Augustine Agyapong, Yussif Mubarik, Abdul Ganiyu, Imoro Ibrahim, Richard Boadu, Justice Blay, Mudasiru Salifu, Richmond Lamptey, George Mfegue, Etouga Mbella, Dickson Afoakwa.
A win for Kotoko will extend their lead on the log to 9 points above second place Bechem United and 15 points off traditional rivals Hearts of Oak.
