Match Preview: Asante Kotoko vs Hearts of Oak, Team News, Predicted Lineups & TV Coverage Ghana Premier League 2022-2023
Asante Kotoko will host rivals Hearts of Oak in the Ghana Premier League at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium tomorrow Sunday as the Reds return to action following shocking exit from the African Champions League.
Kotoko couldn’t turn their first leg victory in the Caf Champions League preliminary round into full-time qualification to the second phase falling 3-1 on penalties to Burkina Faso side RC Kadiogo in second leg in Kumasi last weekend.
With their African camping ended, Asante Kotoko begin the domestic season at GPL week 3, with a difficult home game against main title challengers Hearts of Oak. The Porcupine Warriors have seen their first two league games postponed when they were involved in the Caf Champions League.
Kotoko would have opened the season with a home game against newly promoted side Nsoatreman FC followed by a visit to Bechem United in week 2 of the Ghanaian top flight. But those matches were hanged due to Africa but Kotoko will finally face Nsoatreman on Wednesday perhaps after tomorrow’s game against Hearts of Oak.
Hearts of Oak walk into the tie as the favorite side after having the best exposure of the Ghana Premier League though they haven’t smoothly performed so far.
Samuel Boadu’s men began the season with away game against Aduana Stars and were beaten 1-0 at Dormaa following Bright Adjei’s late goal. The Aduana Stars forward has appeared on Hearts January transfer wish-list. Hearts of Oak hosted city rivals Great Olympics in week 2 at the Accra Sports Stadium last Sunday and it took summer signing Konadu Yiadom’s late header to salvage Hearts from a second defeat.
After two games so far in the Ghanaian top flight, Hearts of Oak lead title rivals Asante Kotoko only a point and a defeat at Kumasi tomorrow will mean Hearts have gone first three games of the season without a victory, and Kotoko may got the better of them on the GPL standings despite the Caf Champions League side been out of action at the earliest stage of the Ghana Premier League.
This season’s clash raises concern about who picks the bragging right which remains no different from history. Fans of both clubs hope their team emerge superior over the two fixtures which begins Sunday and it has been a balanced results in the last two seasons.
Hearts of Oak were well off two seasons ago as they avoided defeat- won and drew over the home and away fixtures.
Last season, Asante Kotoko drew goalless in the first leg at Accra before defeating Hearts in the return leg in Kumasi. Thanks to club’s top scorer Franck Thierry Etouga Mbella who converted from the sport after Brazilian play-maker Fabio Gama had been fouled in the box.
Hearts look matured side heading into tomorrow’s game. They have the consistency while Asante Kotoko are building a young project. For all departments, Hearts are well off their rivals and that will count in tomorrow’s clash.
A win for Kotoko will send them from 14th position to middle table while Hearts’ victory will lift them from 13th place to mid table. There are key men that both clubs need to keep a close eyes on. For Asante Kotoko, they have experienced Ibrahim Danlad, Richard Boadu, George Mfegue and Isaac Oppong that Hearts of Oak must be prepared to handle their torments.
At the receiving end, Mohammed Alhassan, Konadu Yiadom, Gladson Awako and Junior Kaaba will be throwing a Hearts of Oak danger across the Kotoko team. The team that will be able to manage the game well will definitely carry the day. And Hearts of Oak must embraced tomorrow’s game as a huge preparatory grounds for the Caf Confederation Cup kickoff against Real Bamako of Mali 7th October.
Team News- Asante Kotoko
Since the defeat to RC Kadiogo in the Caf Champions League, Kotoko’s team spirit has dropped. The home side began preparations for Hearts’ game last Tuesday at Adako Jachie Training Complex. There is injury boost with Eric Serge Zeze returning to training having the Ivorian International sustained injury prior to RC Kadiogo clash.
Captain Abdul Ganiyu who could have rejoined his teammates following termination of his contract has finally departed the Porcupine Warriors for Iraqi side Talaba Sports Club.
Kotoko squad at camp
Goal-keepers: Ibrahim Danlad, Federick Asare, Moise Pouaty
Defenders: Christopher Nettey, Samuel Appiah, Patrick Asmah, Maxwell Agyemang, Yussif Mubarik, Sherif Mohammed, Andrew Appau, John Tedeku
Midfielders: Richard Boadu, Richmond Lamptey, Eric Serge Zeze, Nana Osei Bonsu, Enock Morrison
Strikers: George Mfugue, Steven Mukwala, Samuel Boateng, Isaac Oppong, Stephen Amankona, Dickson Afoakwa, Solomon Sarfo Taylor
Team News- Hearts of Oak
Hearts of Oak have injury worries ahead of the game as midfielders Aziz Nurudeen, Salifu Ibrahim and Linda Mtange are not fit for Sunday’s biggest game. Hearts have named a 21-man squad travelling to Kumasi to face last season’s champion.
Hearts meanwhile head into the game without talisman Afriyie Barnieh who is on national duty with Ghana. The Black Stars were thrashed 3-0 last Friday as Barnieh failed to feature in the game. The Ghana Premier League super star is expected to get minutes when Ghana play against Nicaragua on Tuesday evening.
Hearts travelling squad
Goal-keepers: Richard Atta, Richmond Ayi, Eric Ofori Antwi
Defenders: Samuel Inkoom, Fatawu Mohammed, Denis Korsah, Mohammed Alhassan, Konadu Yiadow, Robert Sowah
Midfielders: Eric Esso, Daniel Kordie, Gladson Awako, Amankwa Baafi, Benjamin Yorke, Enock Asubonteng, Suraj Seidu, Gideon Asante
Strikers: Isaac Mensah, Kwadow Obeng Jr, Junior Kaaba, Yassan Ouatching
Asante Kotoko predicted XI: Ibrahim Danland, Christopher Nettey, Yussif Mubarik, Sheriff Mohammed, John Tedeku, Richard Boadu, Enock Morrison, Richmond Lamptey, George Mfegue, Isaac Oppong, Steven Mukwala.
Hearts of Oak predicted XI: Eric Ofori Antwi, Samuel Inkoom, Mohammed Alhassan, Konadu Yiadom, Denis Korsah, Eric Esso, Daniel Kordie, Gladson Awako, Isaac Mensah, Junior Kaaba, Yassan Ouatching
TV Coverage
The game will be live in Ghana on StarTimes. African countries where StarTimes is available can also watch the game.
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