Match Preview- Medeama vs Asante Kotoko, Team News, Predicted Lineups, Injuries, Ghana Premier League 2020/2021
Medeama SC slow start to the 2020/2021 Ghana Premier League has undoubtedly surprise many football pundits and caused internal conflict. Most attributions have went in departure of Prince Opoku Agyemang and Nana Kofi Babil who combined scored 16 goals for Medeama last season.
The Tarkwa based side have been one of Ghana’s best performing clubs in Ghana since their inception in Ghana’s top flight football in 2010 but are in stance of sacking boss Samuel Boadu who has just master-minded only a win for Medeama SC this season so far.
His chances of been shown the exit door has become bigger as he welcomes giants Asante Kotoko to the Tarkwa Akoon Park in outstanding Ghana Premier League this Sunday. Kotoko’s participation in the Total Caf Champions League impregnated this outstanding game.
But there are two ways about his future where he could also still maintain his managerial position against the backdrop that Kotoko have simply been impressive, unconvincing, inconsistent, and struggled against bigger sides.
While seemly running away with a Ghana Premier League victory against Berekum Chelsea, Kotoko were forced to a stoppage time 1-1 draw in Berekum.
They failed to keep their 1-0 lead against Mauritanian side FC Nouadhibou after their Caf Champions League first preliminary round first leg clash ended 1-1 in Nouakchott.
Following is a 1-0 defeat in hands of stubborn Sudanese side Al Hilal who tamed the mighty force of Asante Kotoko at their own Accra Sports Stadium last Wednesday, and Medeama are expected beat Kotoko that will see Boadu maintained his job five days after Hilal loss.
However, this trend of results, together with a few have also seen Maxwell Konadu fired from post at Kotoko with assistant Johnson Smith now taking over on the interim.
Despite both teams struggling this term, Kotoko have been the better side over Medeama in general Ghana Premier League talks. The Kumasi based side have won 2, drew 2 and lost 1 in their previous five games while the home side have only a victory, 3 draws and a defeat.
Medeama are 2 points but 5 places behind Asante Kotoko whose current stats live them 8th position with 8 points on the Ghana Premier League table.
Meanwhile, between them also, Kotoko are the dominant side in their previous 20 times clashing across all competitions. Kotoko have won ten of the games while Medeama have five wins and the rest ending in draw.
Medeama/Asante Kotoko Team News
Medeama have no injury concerns. Justice Blay will face Asante Kotoko first time after returning from loan spell with the Porcupine Warriors. When on loan at Kotoko last season, Blay was one of the best performers in club’s colours and became the first player to win Player of the Month (January) award in Kotoko and the first Kotoko player to win Ghana Premier League Player of Month October 2019.
The defensive midfielder’s eye-catching performances at Kotoko earned high recognition among top Ghana sports journalists with Sports Writers’ Association of Ghana (SWAG) President and GTV Sports pundit Kwabena Yeboah believing Blay was last season’s best player in the Ghana Premier League.
Akwasi Donsu who claimed MoTM award in Medeama’s goalless draw against Liberty Professionals, Kwadwo Asamoah, Eric Kwakwa, Eric Ofori Antwi and Ebenezer Ackahbi are expected to star against Kotoko.
On the other side, first choice shot-stopper Felix Anann has recovery fully after sideline from Kotoko 1-1 draw against Berekum Chelsea. However, Razak Abelora could keep the posts as he did in games against Dreams FC and Al Hilal.
Kotoko still miss Mudasiru Salifu and Emmanuel Keyekeh due to injury but have leashing Fabio Gama to boost their setup and inspire victory. The Brazilian could make his debut against Medeama since signing with the Ghana Premier League out fits months ago.
Club’s top scorers Osman Ibrahim and Kwame Opoku (2 goals each) would have much say in today’s game. Opoku have now gone four games without a goal after netting against Dreams FC in opener and Berekum Chelsea.
Ibrahim scored against Dreams FC and Nouadhibou FC in the Total Caf Champions League and is the likeliest man to open the scores in Tarkwa today.
Predicted Medeama XI 4-3-3
Eric Ofori Antwi (GK), Daniel Egyin, Samuel Appiah, Ibrahim Yaro, Ali Ouatarra, Justice Blay, Eric Kwakwa, Akwasi Donsu, Kwadwo Asamoah, Agyenim Boateng, Ebenezer Ackahbi.
Predicted Kotoko XI 4-4-2
Razak Abelora, Christopher Nettey, Wahab Adams, Abdul Ganiyu, Imoro Ibrahim, Adom Frimpong, Latif Anabila, Emmanuel Gyamfi, Patrick Asmah, Osman Ibrahim, Kwame Opoku.
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