GPL Preview: Red-hot Asante Kotoko host struggling Ashgold in Ashanti Derby

The Baba Yara stadium in Kumasi will be full of life on Sunday afternoon when Asante Kotoko face Obuasi AshantiGold in the Ghana Premier League.

The sizzling Porcupine Warriors will host their struggling regional rivals in this crunchy Ghana Premier League match week 12 affair.

Kotoko come into this game on the back of a historic away win against Aduana Stars at Dormaa last week. The result did not only send Coach Prosper Narteh-Ogum’s side to the top of the league log, but it also injected confidence back into the side about their title chances.

⚡𝑭𝑳𝑨𝑺𝙃𝘽𝑨𝑪𝑲⚡

𝙰𝚏𝚎𝚒, 𝚢ɛ𝚗 𝚔ɔ 𝚢’𝚊𝚔𝚢𝚒 𝚔𝚊𝚔𝚛𝚊…

Check out our 𝑾𝑨𝑹𝑹𝑰𝑶𝑹𝑺’ ecstatic dressing room reaction after beating Aduana Stars 2-0 at the Nana Agyeman Badu Park in Dormaa Ahenkro!!💪

Full video👇
https://t.co/IyjW6NmWmZ#AKSC pic.twitter.com/ENb9Oj1GNG

— Asante Kotoko SC (@AsanteKotoko_SC) January 4, 2022

Goals from Franck Mbella and Richmond Lamptey did the damage for Kotoko and in Ashgold they face an opponent who have contrasting fortunes so far this campaign.

The Miners have struggled for goals and points as they now languish in the 14th position on 13 points. Situations become more dire for the Obuasi-based side when one takes a cursory glance at the goals column.

They have scored a scrimpy 5 goals in the league after 11 matches (the fewest of all competing teams in the Top flight). They can however take solace in the fact that they have the league’s third defense, having allowed 8 goals against opponents.

Their task is made harder considering that they face a Kotoko side who boast the best defensive record in the league having shipped in just 6 goals this campaign.

The game promises more intrigue and drama and will be live in StarTimes Channel 247.

𝑵𝑬𝑿𝑻 𝑼𝑷…

🏡 Back home for the first #AsantemanDerby of the season!!👋

🆚 Ashgold
🏟 Baba Yara Stadium
🏆 @GPLmd12
📆 Sunday, Jan 9, 2022
🕒 Kick-off: 3 pm (GH)
#️⃣ #KOTASH#AKSC #KotokoAshgold #GPLmd12 pic.twitter.com/Td8vlHGME4

— Asante Kotoko SC (@AsanteKotoko_SC) January 4, 2022

TEAM NEWS

Asante Kotoko welcomed back some injured players from injury ahead of this game. Forwards Isaac Oppong and Samuel Boateng are back from injuries while versatile defender Sheriff Mohammed has also recovered from illness. All three trained with the side throughout the week.

🚨 𝑴𝑬𝑫𝑰𝑪𝑨𝑳 𝑹𝑬𝑷𝑶𝑹𝑻 🚨

Forwards Samuel Boateng and Isaac Oppong returned to full team training today as they intensify their recovery from injury…@IamMsheriff also trained with the squad, having recovered fully from illness.#AKSC #AsantemanDerby pic.twitter.com/8fJ7bHZuRl

— Asante Kotoko SC (@AsanteKotoko_SC) January 3, 2022

Offensive midfielder Richmond Lamptey who has has a solid start to life at Kotoko is suspended for the game.

PRE-MATCH STATS

Asante Kotoko vs Ashanti Gold’s head to head record shows that of the 14 meetings they’ve had, Asante Kotoko has won 5 times and Ashanti Gold has won 4 times. 5 fixtures between Asante Kotoko and Ashanti Gold has ended in a draw.

8 out of the last 14 matches between both Kotoko and Ashgold has seen 2 or more goals scored.

Only 6 of the last 14 matches has seen both teams scoring

AshantiGold SC have not scored against Kotoko in their last 3 games. The last time the Miners found the net against their regional rivals was in April 2018 when they beat them 2-0.

Asante Kotoko has had no trouble finding the back of the net recently and has scored in the last 5 home games. They have failed to find the net in 0 home game this season.

Asante Kotoko have scored just one first half goal at home in 5 matches this season.

7 of the 8 home goals scored by the Porcupine Warriors have come in the second half.

Things have not been going that well in front of goal for Ashanti Gold recently, with the side failing to score in 4 of the last 5 games.

Ashgold’s last 5 away matches has seen only one team scoring.

There is a 70% possibility that Asante Kotoko will score first as they’ve done this in 7 of the 10 matches played this season.

AshantiGold have scored first in 3 of the 11 league matches played.