The Porcupine Warriors had their last training at the Adako Jachie on Wednesday afternoon with a full house and Prosper Narteh Ogum is expected to announce his final squad
Ghana Premier League table toppers Asante Kotoko will travel to Bibiani on Thursday afternoon for the much-anticipated fixture against Gold Stars, AshesGyamera.com can confirm.
The top of the table fixture has been salted for Friday afternoon at the Dun’s Park in Bibiani before the other league games continue on Saturday and Sunday.
The Porcupine Warriors held their last training session on Wednesday with a total number of 30 players including all the 20 players that were named for the game against Bechem United with the exception of skipper Abdul Ganiu Ismail who is currently on international duties with Ghana in South Africa.
Ganiu is expected to help the Black Stars secure a win against Ethiopia on Thursday and South Africa on Sunday and that means he will not be available for Kotoko’s game.
In his absence, Maxwell Agyemang who joined Kotoko from lower division side Wamanafo Mighty Royals in a three deal in September, will partner Yussif Mubarik.
It is also likely that coach Prosper Ogum Narteh may drop one of his offensive midfielders -Fabio Gama, Richmond Lamptey or Mudasiru Salifu- to make way for defensive midfielder Richard Boadu ‘Agadas’ in order to bring stability in midfield and cut the supplies from Gold Stars.
Both Solomon Sarfo Taylor and Stephen Amankonah were on target during the training session while defender Christopher Nettey who picked a knock against Bechem did some recovery works.
Kotoko are expected to go into the game with a 4-2-3-1 formation unlike the 4-3-3 formation with variations that they have been using in their last two games. However, the players who will not make the trip to Bibiani will continue with training at the Adako Jachie on Thursday afternoon.
Gold Stars, who are coached by former Kotoko player and coach Michael Osei, are currently sitting fifth on the Ghana Premier League log. They will be hosting Kotoko for the first time in their history after having an incredible start to their maiden participation in the top-flight as they are yet to taste defeat in two games.
The Western North giants scored full marks on opening day as they pipped Berekum Chelsea 1-0 at home thanks to a Kingsford Boafo’s long range shot.
They then held Medeama to 1-1 stalemate on Tuesday with a late equaliser and would hope to do the unthinkable by handing Kotoko their first defeat of the season.
