The Porcupine Warriors will have to face their regional rivals this weekend without four key players
Asante Kotoko will play Ashanti Gold on matchday twelve of Ghana Premier League at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi on Sunday without four key players due to several reasons beyond the technical team.
Brazilian midfielder Fabio Gama and youngster Isaac Oppong missed the trip to Dormaa Ahenkro last weekend due to injury concerns and they are expected to once again sit out of the game. The duo could not recover fully to have full session of training with the first team.
Also, Clinton Opoku and Richmond Lamptey will be missed due to injury and suspension respectively. Lamptey has been ruled out of the game after picking three yellow cards this season.
The in-form midfielder’s absence will hugely affect Kotoko’s setup as coach Prosper Ogum Narteh must find a replacement who can flow with the Richard Boadu ‘Agadas’ and Mudasiru Salifu’s style of play.
Ashanti Gold come into the game on back of home defeat last weekend against Medeama and coach Thomas Duah is hoping to get a reaction from his players.
Midfielder Seth Osei has already thrown a word of caution to Kotoko ahead of the game, insisting that they would shock the league leaders on Sunday.
“This is a game we can’t afford to lose,” Osei said.
“We have had some terrible scorelines over the past few weeks but we believe that we can overcome the setbacks and return to winning ways against Kotoko.
“This is a derby game and the side which fully prepare and take the few chances that come their way will eventually end as the winners,” he added.
AshesGyamera understands that goalkeeper Danlad Ibrahim will start the game ahead of Razak Abalora barring any last minute injury since Prosper Ogum Narteh was impressed with his performance against Aduana and would not want to change a winning team.
Kotoko top the league log with 23 points while Ashanti Gold are occupying 14th position with 12 points.