By Jermaine Owusu, May 8, 2021
Matchday 23 of the Ghana Premier League is upon us and without doubt this weekend fixtures offers exciting clashes.
Asante Kotoko face off Dreams FC in a much anticipated game in Obuasi with the still believe lads poised to make things hard for the porcupines.
Both clubs are going into the game with the mindset of building momentum on previous victories. Kotoko after a hard fought victory over Accra based Legon Cities will be looking to stay alert on Medeama SC with a victory on Saturday.
A highly motivated Dreams FC will be in to repeat a similar performance that helped them secured a stunning 2-0 win over giants Hearts last weekend. One of the best performances for the Dawu based club at the Theater of Dreams this season.
A win for the host could move them to the league summit with Medeama set to visit Liberty in a tricky fixture in other match.
Victory in Obuasi for Dreams would be invaluable as the believers could move to top four places if other top 4 clubs fails to win their games.
TEAM NEWS
Asante Kotoko
Coach Mariano Barreto will face a huge task of not recording two home defeats against rival clubs. The team has already intensified training at the club’s Adako Jachie base and expected to hold the last training on Friday before a short trip to Obuasi
The coach will name an 18-man squad after Friday evening’s training for camping ahead of the match on Saturday.
INJURY UPDATE: Asante Kotoko midfielder Emmanuel Keyekeh has returned to full training in time for this fixture.
Keyekeh has been out of action for the past five months with abdominal injury and has had a long road to full recovery.
The midfielder was part of the team’s training on Tuesday and could soon be in contention for a place in Barreto’s squad.
Aside Keyekeh, Usman Ibrahim is still out of the team.
Player to watch: Fabio Gama. Gama has received a lot of praise for his performances since his arrival. The Brazilian has remained a creative force in Kotoko’s team.
Dreams FC
The Still Believe lads are in good moments and will be motivated to deliver a strong performance on Saturday. Moral boosting victory over Hearts will be a big factor. They will have in mind that if they produce similar performance, they could pick points at the Len Clay.
INJURY UPDATES: there hasn’t been any reported injuries in camp for Dreams ahead of the trip to Obuasi. Ali Huzaif and Agyenim Boateng and Emmanuel Ocran are all ready to go.
Viric Vladislav will have a full squad ahead of Obuasi trip
Player to watch: Massaudu Abdallah. Man of thhe match performance in Hearts defeat. Solid at the back for the believers. A goal bound clearance against the Phobians. One to watch.
MATCH FACTS
- Asante Kotoko holds the best defensive record in the league after conceding 10 after 22 matches
- Asante Kotoko have tasted one defeat in three matches after relocating to Obuasi.
- Kotoko are adrift of a point at the top of the league
- Kotoko is the only side in the league with few defeats. Four defeats after 22 matches
- A win for the porcupines will see them on top of the league with other top four fixtures slated for Sunday
- Kotoko have lost 1 in their last five matches (P5 W3 L1 D1)
- A win for Dreams will put them in top four positions
- Dreams is the only side in the top five teams with best goals aggregate. 31 goals after 22 matches
- The Believers have the best Goals Difference with 10. Same as Medeama
Dreams FC have lost once in their last five matches (P5 W2 D2 L1)
HEAD TO HEAD
Asante Kotoko have enjoyed most of these matches against the still believe lads with the reverse fixture ending in a 1-0 win for the porcupines.
Over all, five meetings for this two side’s since 2016 have seen Kotoko winning four matches. (P5 W4 L1 D0).
Their counterpart Dreams FC have recorded only one victory after five matches (P5 W1 L4 D0)
MATCH INFORMATION
DATE: Saturday, May 8, 2021 – 3pm
MATCH: Asante Kotoko vs Dreams FC (LIVE ON STARTIMES)
VENUE: Len Clay Stadium
REFEREE: Andrews Awurisa
Credit: Ghana sports page
