Bitterest rivals Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak face off in Kumasi on Sunday in the Ghana Premier League derby which could help decide the title destination.
It’s their third meeting this season in all competitions with the previous two games going the way of the Porcupine Warriors.
Asante Kotoko stunned Hearts of Oak at the Accra sports stadium in the first round after a huge clanger by goalkeeper Soulama Abdoulaye resulted in a goal.
The two sides squared off in the President’s cup this year and Asante Kotoko were the winners once again via penalty shootouts after 0-0 in regular period.
Asante Kotoko suffered a shock of their lives last Wednesday at the Robert Mensah stadium in when Ebusua Dwarfs mauled them by 4-1.
They approach the game without key defensive duo who are suspended. Eric Donkor was sent off against Ebusua Dwarfs whilst Ahmed Adams is out with accumulation of cards.
Stephen Nyarko returns after missing last Wednesday’s league fixture through a slight injury.
Left back Edwin Tuffour Frimpong looks very doubtful for Sunday’s big clash
The Phobians are currently leading the league table with five points separating them and Asante Kotoko.
A win would see Hearts of Oak stretch the gap to eight points.
Thomas Abbey is available for selection this Sunday after he was given a rest in their league victory over Berekum Chelsea last Wednesday.
The club’s top scorer Cosmos Dauda is very doubtful for the epic encounter on Sunday. He has netted five of his eight goals at away this season.
MATCH FACTS
Head to Head
Total matches played = 103
Asante Kotoko wins = 33
Drawn matches = 36
Hearts of Oak wins = 34
*Asante Kotoko have lost just two of their last eleven premier league fixtures.
(W6 D3 L2)
*Hearts of Oak have lost only one of their last ten matches in the premier league.
(W5 D4 L1)
*Asante Kotoko have been losers only once in their last fifteen home games in the premiership. (W10 D3 L1)
*The Phobians are unbeaten in their last thirteen away fixtures in the premiership. They have drawn seven and won six this term.
(W6 D7 L0)
*Asante Kotoko have managed only one victory in their last nine home matches in the league against Hearts of Oak.
(W1 D3 L5)
*Hearts of Oak have also managed just one win against Asante Kotoko in their last ten premier league clashes.
(W1 D4 L5)
*Asante Kotoko have kept six clean sheets out of their ten home matches in the premiership this season.
*Hearts of Oak have been able to keep five clean sheets in their ten premier league travels this term.
-GHANAsoccernet