GPL Preview: New Edubiase Host Kotoko

Kumasi Asante Kotoko will trek to Bekwai in midweek to play New Edubiase on Match Week 22 of the 2015/16 Ghana Premier League (GPL).

The Porcupine Warriors will face struggling New Edubiase at the Berkwai Park on Wednesday.

Kotoko is down-spirited after going three games without a win, contrary to their performance in the same number of matches when they met in the reverse fixture.

It is a game Michael Osei will like to put to bed the media waves surrounding his tactical and technical abilities.

New Edubiase United

They have been occupying the bottom of the league ladder more than any side in the second half.

New Edubiase United have won just a game in the second half of the season (L2, D3)

However, they are the only side who have managed to beat Asante Kotoko at home, hence the President of the club, Abdul Salam Yakubu is confident his side will add the dose on the Porcupine Warriors, because they have the antidote to them.

New Edubiase United over the weekend conceded a late goal against Chelsea at the Golden City Park to deny them a point from the game.

Edubiase United lads and their landlords, Ashanti Gold whom they have adopted their venue Len Clay as their home grounds are the sides with the fewest wins in the ongoing season, having won just four games each.

The 2012 FA Cup champions have lost more matches than any other team this season, 11 defeats in 21 league games. They have won 4 and drawn 6.

Prince Antwi is the leading top scorer of the club in the ongoing league, with three goals.

Asante Kotoko

Kumasi Asante Kotoko have failed to win any of their last four away league games, (D2, L2)

The Porcupine Warriors were handed a humiliating 4-1 defeat against Ebusua Dwarfs in their last away league fixture.

They have won three, lost 5 and drawn 2 in 10 away league games this season.

Asante Kotoko have been struggling with goal scoring, having failed to score more than a goal in a game and have only managed a total of 5 goals in 6 games in the second round.

Dauda Mohammed the club’s leading top scorer is yet to find his goal scoring boot in the second round. He hasn’t been able to increase the 7 league goals, scored in the first half of the league.

The good news for the Porcupine Warriors is that Kwame Boateng, who was side-lined by injury in the first round is back and fetched the match opener for the Kumasi giants in the tension packed encounter against Hearts of Oak in the weekend.

Head to head

They have played 13 league matches. Kotoko have won 3, lost 4 and drawn 6 against New Edubiase United.

The result of the reverse fixture and the results in the last three games could be to Michael Osei’s choices in this afternoon’s game.

GPL Preview: New Edubiase Host Kotoko

GPL: Edubiase End Kotoko"s Resurgence

Kumasi Asante Kotoko’ s resurgence hit the rocks when they hosted New Edubiase at the Baba Yara sports stadium on Match Week 9 of the 2015/16 Ghana Premier League (GPL).

Prince Antwi scored after 20 minutes after a defensive blunder by Ahmed Adams, and the Porcupine Warriors could not make up for the horrendous error by the backline.

Dauda Mohammed had the glorious of opportunities, but the 19-year-old striker was either selfish on some occasions, or his boots lacked the vision of a goal poacher.

New Edubiase began the game on their shelves and Kotoko buoyed by their recent results, played with high line, increasing the numbers up front to find an early goal to pile pressure on the Yenko Koaaa boys to react. The first opportunity fell the way of Obed Owusu.

Dauda Mohammed raced up at the left flank to pick Stephen Nyarko’s  attacking ball. He dummied his way past Christopher Agbashie and placed the ball on the feet of Owusu, but the centre-forward effort was feeble to beat Benjamin Mensah.

At the other of the pitch, Ahmed Adams  over elaborated when he could have simply tapped the ball to a colleague or balloon it to safety. Felix Afriyie won the ball and laid it perfectly on the path of Prince Antwi.

Prince’s first touch was pour, but he made amends after Ernest Sowah was beaten to it when he tried cleaning up the mess of Ahmed Adams, breaking the virginity of the game after 20 minutes.

Kotoko responded swiftly, but Dauda Mohammed left his scoring boots in no mans land. He skied the ball from close range, and five minutes later he was denied by Benjamin Mensah. His brilliant volley was glued in the palms of the Edubiase’s goalkeeper, leaving Kotoko frustrated.

He had another chance few minutes later. He took responsibility after Ibrahim Tahiru was adjudged to have brought down Stephen Nyarko. His free-kick at the edge of the of box however, was punched to safety.

Prince Antwi almost doubled Edubiase’s advantage, but he was denied by Ernest Sowah who had a holiday to forget.

New Edubiase receded possession, organised themselves at the back and held on to a solitary lead into the dressing room.

Kotoko looked much better in the second half, but lacked the ideas to hurt Anthony Commey’s side. They were too erratic due to their rush to equalize and probably, win the game.

With consistent pressure mounting on Edubiase, they developed time wasting attitude, frustrating Kotoko.  The Porcupine Warriors created chances, but  Benjamin Mensah was too good to be beaten.

He pulled of a thunderous effort from Obed Owusu from 25-yards, and denied them again from Amos Frimpong’s shot from the right flank.

The best chance fell on the way of Ahmed Adams late on the game.  Eric Donkor’s delivery from a corner was destined for the back of the net, but Ahmed Adams blazed it into empty space.

Match officials added five minutes, but Edubiase killed of the time with their delay tactics, and held to secure a famous win at the Baba Yara sports which could lift them off the bottom of the table temporarily.

GPL: Edubiase End Kotoko"s Resurgence

GPL Preview: Can Kotoko Continue Revival Against New Edubiase?

If the revival of Kumasi Asante Kotoko in post-Duncan era, is a coincidence, the fraternity of the club, will hope it continues indefinitely.

The Porcupine Warriors will face struggling New Edubiase at the Baba Yara sports stadium on Match Week 9 of the 2015/16 Ghana Premier League (GPL).

Kotoko will be buoyed by the resurgence in the last three games, but the game will be a tricky one considering the success New Edubiase have chalked against Kotoko at the stadium.

Both teams have won 2 matches in their six matches played in Kumasi, and that could be the impetus for “Yenkonkoaa” boys when they line up against Anthony Commey’s side.

Coaches believe every game against the same opposition is different, and that could be key in Michael Osei’s approach to the game.

The change in technical direction which kept the club in comical and ridiculous state, seem to be a blessing in disguise, as Kotoko gradually edge towards the confidence they had during the pre-season.

Some individuals are rising to the occasion of being Porcupines, and they will unleashed the arsenals they are made of to keep Kotoko’s home superiority intact.

New Edubiase on the other hand, is at the foot of the league table, and relegation survival fight will be at the back of their minds when they step on to the pitch.

New Edubiase have not won an away in the ongoing league, their best being a draw against WAFA. The last time New Edubiase won an away league game, was in 2014 against Asante Kotoko.

Accusing finger is pointed at New Edubiase’s inexperience after the sale of key players in Nuhu brothers and Abraham Asiedu Attobrah.

Asante Kotoko and New Edubiase have met 12 times, and they are at par. Both sides have won three apiece, with the other three ending in a stalemate.

GPL Preview: Can Kotoko Continue Revival Against New Edubiase?