Kotoko dare Aduana at Dormaa-Ahenkro

A raging battle over the top spot in the Ghana Premier League will be laid bare at the Nana Agyemang Badu Park this afternoon when Kumasi Asante Kotoko invade Aduana Stars’ territory to engage in a feisty mid-week encounter.

Last Sunday, Kotoko shared honours with Ashgold which catapulted them to the second position on the log just behind their regional rivals who sit on top of the pile with superior goal difference

Yahaya Moammed threat

Aduana, on the other hand, suffered a major blow to their title ambitions as they dropped to the third position after they were handed a 5-2 pounding by Dansoman-based Liberty Professionals.

However, today’s encounter presents Aduana a chance to step up their campaign at their Dormaa-Ahenkro base, while Kotoko will search for their first-ever win at a venue that has become a fortress for the home side who have dropped just one point at home — their scoreless draw with Hearts of Oak — in five matches.

With their ego bruised after being cut to size by Liberty, Aduana Stars will be aiming to restore order at home for a chance to return to the top position, a charge that is expected to be spearheaded by their captain and the club’s leading marksman, Yahaya Mohammed.

The Aduana captain, who is a leading contender for the top scorer’s award with 10 goals alongside Inter Allies’s Victorien Adebayor, will be looking forward to adding to his haul by scoring against his former club Kotoko, whose last victory over the ‘Ogya’ lads was a 2-1 win in Kumasi in June 2018.

Kotoko are coming into today’s game not as favourites despite dropping just a point in their last three away encounters; they are aware of how Aduana are devastating on home soil and have conceded just a goal in a five-match unbeaten run, with free-scoring Mohammed hitting the back of the net in each of their home wins.

Statistically, both sides look evenly matched. In 20 Premier League clashes, each side has won six times and drawn eight games but the Porcupine Warriors are yet to break their Dormaa-Ahenkro jinx where they are without a win in 10 clashes.

Other fixtures

In other fixtures this afternoon, sixth-placed WAFA travel to Techiman to engage 13th-placed Eleven Wonders at the Ohene Ameyaw Park, while 11th-placed Elmina Sharks host 16th-placed Ebusua Dwarfs in a regional derby at the Dr Nduom Sports Complex, Elmina.

Inter Allies will unleash prolific striker Adebayor on Medeama when they clash at the Accra Sports Stadium, while Hearts of Oak will trek to the Akoon Park at Tarkwa to lock horns with struggling Karela FC who will be seeking only their third home win.

Following the temporary closure of the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, King Faisal will host Legon Cities at the Len Clay Stadium, Obuasi, tomorrow.

Two other matches set for tomorrow involve 12th-placed Liberty and Bechem United at the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park, while 14th-placed Great Olympics welcome Berekum Chelsea, fifth on the log, to the Accra Sports Stadium.