GPL Preview: Kotoko Host Wa Al Stars

It is a battle for supremacy as Asante Kotoko host Wa All Stars at the Baba Yara sports stadium on Wednesday — the second game in three days for both sides in the second round of the 2015-16 Ghana Premier League (GPL).

Both sides recorded contrasting results last weekend — Wa All Stars amassed all points at stake against Berekum Chelsea whilst Asante Kotoko could only negotiate for a point against Techiman City.

And with the Porcupine Warriors having their sight on the league crown, Michael Osei will assemble his arsenals to ensure they avoid losing all six points to the Wa-based club who dropped them to 5th with a 1-0 win in the reverse fixture before they moved up to third after winning their final game of the first round.

Asante Kotoko were the only team to earn a point away from home in the first game of the second round, and will be buoyed by not only by the result but the performance they displayed against a side who have had a stupendous at home since the opening day of the season — with former Champions Berekum Chelsea and Aduana Stars being culprits.

Asante Kotoko and Wa All Stars have met 17 times in Ghana’s top flight domestic league. The Porcupine Warriors have been superior in this encounter, winning 9 drawing 5 and losing only 3.

At the Baba Yara sports stadium, home grounds, the two sides have met 8 times in the league, with Kotoko achieving 75% success — 6 victories, 1 defeat with the other ending in a stalemate.

Recent games between the two sides have ended 3-1 either in favour of Kotoko or All Stars.

In the 2013-14 season, the Porcupine Warriors won this fixture by 3-1, and the Wa-based club avenged the defeat with the same scoreline a season later.

Asante Kotoko again thumped the visitors 3-1 last season, but a bullish Wa All Stars will be confident of their chances.

According to Enus Adepah, Kotoko’s best in this game will be a draw.

Team News

Theophilus Nyame and Evans Quao sustained injuries on Sunday, but the duo were treated and discharged. Evans Quao is ineligible to play in this encounter, and Michael Osei would either start Ohene Brenya or Osei Agyemang in his place.

The latter was impressive until he was sidelined by an injury.

GPL Preview: Kotoko Host Wa Al Stars

GPL Preview: Kotoko Storm Wa

It is the penultimate game of the first round of the 2015-16 Ghana Premier League (GPL) action, and Asante Kotoko storm Wa to face All Stars.

The Porcupine Warriors secured a point in this fixture last season after a zero-all stalemate.

This game is the topliner of match day 14, since Kotoko placed 3 on the league log will be engaged by Wa All Stars occupying the 4 position.

Asante Kotoko have won their last 3 away games, while All Stars are yet to be beaten at the Wa Park, after 6 home games played this season.

Team news and match facts

Asante Kotoko

The Porcupine Warriors will still be missing the services of their talisman, Dauda Mohammed, who is yet to return from the camp of the Black Satellites.

Kotoko suffered an injury blow when Obed Owusu was stretched off the pitch for picking up an injury in their 1-0 win over Inter Allies, hence won’t be available for the game.

Elvis Amoh, who won the 23 times league champions a penalty in the weekend fixture would be handed a starting role in attack in the absence of their two leading attackers, alongside Kwame Boateng.

Asante Kotoko have won their last 4 league games and have also won three their three away league games.

Michael Osei has turned things around at the Porcupine Warriors, helping to lift them from the bottom of the league table, after taking over the team from his boss David Duncan as a caretaker coach on match day 6 to their current 3 position.

Kotoko won their last away league game at Bechem United last week Wednesday, at a time the hosts were unbeaten at home this season and returned home with a win against Inter Allies.

Wa All Stars

The Wa lads were lying at the summit of the league ladder until they were dethroned from the top by Hearts of Oak, after match day 11.

They are one of the few teams who are still undefeated at home, having won 4 and drawn 2 of their 6 home league games.

They have sensational youngsters like Maxwell Baako, who can punish opposing teams on any given day.

Wa All Stars over the weekend shared honours with Ashanti Gold when they drew goalless. But they were also held to a one all draw in their last home game on match day 12 against WAFA.

Head to head

Kotoko have an impressive away performance against All Stars. They have won 3, lost 1 and drawn 4 games. The only victory for All Stars at Wa against Kotoko in the league came in the 2011-12 season.

In all Kotoko have won 9, lost 2 and drawn 5 against Wa All Stars in 16 league clashes.

Last season Kotoko settled for a goalless draw at the Wa Park against the hosts.

GPL Preview: Kotoko Storm Wa