The Porcupine Warriors held their final major training session at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Thursday behind closed doors as they fine tuned ahead of the weekend’s fixture
Asante Kotoko head coach Prosper Ogum Narteh is expected to at least make one change in his squad that will start against Techiman Eleven Wonders on matchday four of Ghana Premier League on Saturday, AshesGyamera.com can confirm.
The Porcupine Warriors have had a flying start to the season, having won their opening three games including two away victories over Dreams FC and Gold Stars in Accra and Bibiani respectively.
However, they are expected to be at their best once more when Bono East giants Eleven Wonders travel to Baba Yara hoping to end Kotoko’s flawless performance and possibly pick their first win of the campaign.
As a result, Kotoko moved their final training session from Adako Jachie to Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Thursday afternoon in order to be conversant with the pitch and perfectly rehearse their tactics and formations which will be deployed on Saturday.
Although, the training session was behind closed doors as journalists and fans were barred from having access to proceedings, AshesGyamera understands that Prosper Ogum took more time to work on his defence since he will make a change in it.
Against Gold Stars last week, Ogum made four changes in his side as Andrew Appau and Maxwell Agyemang were used as the centre-backs since Abdul Ganiu Ismail was on international duties with Ghana for the 2022 World Cup qualifiers against Ethiopia and South Africa. Yussif Mubarik was dropped after he was hugely exposed by Augustine Okrah in the victory over Bechem United.
However, with Ganiu back in camp, Ogum will likely partner him with Appau against Wonders while Agyemang revert to the substitute bench. Per reports, the technical team were highly impressed with Appau’s performance against Gold Stars and they believe that he needs to be maintained.
Also, Cameroonian striker Etuoga Mbella Frank Thierry will likely play his debut game for Kotoko barring any unforeseen circumstances in the eleventh hour. The 21-year-old’s performance at training has caught the eye of the technical team and they are ready to offer him the opportunity to make his bow for the club.
Mbella’s goal – an awesome lob- in the friendly game against Asekem in midweek was largely praised by his teammates and the technical team and the striker is brimming with confidence to announce his arrival even if he is given the last ten minutes against Wonders on Saturday.
Although, there are no major injury concerns with regards to Kotoko’s midfielders, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Richard Boadu ‘Agadas’ is benched for the weekend’s game since Ogum prefers to play Mudasiru Salifu in the holding midfield role and release Fabio Gama and Richmond Lamptey in an attacking formation.
Boadu’s full debut against Gold Stars was quite impressive but with Kotoko hoping to attack their opponents from all angles right after the blast of referee Charles Bulu’s whistle on Saturday, the former Medeama midfielder may have to come into the fray later in the game to offer stability to tiring legs.
Kotoko’s probable XI vs Eleven Wonders:
Kotoko’s probable XI vs Gold Stars:
Razak Abalora (C), Christopher Nettey, Patrick Asmah, Abdul Ganiu Ismail, Andrews Appau, Mudasiru Salifu, Stephen Amankonah/Richard Boadu, Richmond Lamptey, Fabio Gama, Isaac Oppong, Samuel Boateng