Medeama SC will on Sunday welcome in form Asante Kotoko in a penultimate game of the first round of the Ghana Premier League at the Tarkwa TnA Stadium.
Medeama have had quite a good season winning seven out of fourteen and losing just three despite the departure of their former manager Nebojsa Kapor after contract expiration last Demcember.
Having played fewer games, the “Yellow and Mauve” outfit are just six points adrift leaders Heart of Lions who have accumulated thirty points from fifteen matches.
Medeama have lost just once at home this season—losing 2-0 to Accra Hearts of Oak last November and would drive on such home fortress going into the game with the Porcupines.
Kofi Asmah scored the only goal in midweek to power Medeama over Karela United at home in an outstanding fixture on New Year Day and Augustine Adotey-Technical Director temporary functioning as the manager will hope to continue from the Wednesday’s win.
“We were expecting more than two or three goals, unfortunately we scored one but the one goal matters because the three points is what we needed”, he told Medeama.
Regardless of the scoreline, Asante Kotoko have always found the back of the net for the past three seasons and is concerned about it.
”That’s the work of the coach and the playing body. We have worked yesterday and today. All that I am saying is, it’s all bout attacking and defending. I’m defence, we want appply the game principles to deny the opponent from scorin”, he shared.
“So see us on Sunday. We are coming all out and make sure if we are not scoring, Kotoko will not score”, he concluded.
Adotey will have goalkeeper Felix Kyei who made his first appearance in Karela win after sitting out for 7months due to injury.
He will also count on the services of Francis Andy Kumi who has not been at his own level this season but will have something special to prove meeting his former team and coach in Tarkwa.
Travelers Asante Kotoko have picked some form going four straight games winning all of them including two big wins against Aduana Stars and rivals Accra Hearts of Oak spanning from November 24, 2024.
Coach Prosper Narteh Ogum knows his Sunday opponent very well having met them six times since 2022, winning four and drawing two.
The most recent fixture saw Ogum pick one point after playing 1-1 at the TnA park—a venue they last won a game in 2022.
A win on Sunday could possibly move them to the summit of the table if Heart of Heart of Lions falter in their game against Bechem United.
Asante Kotoko have been struggling in goalscoring having just fifteen goals in fifteen matches averaging 1 goal per game.
Similar characteristics can be said of Medeam who have netted fourteen times this season in fourteen games.
Kotoko bolstered their attacking force with the signing of Kwame Poku who scored on his debut in this second spell with the club against Bibiani Gold Stars the last time out and will be key for Ogum in Sunday’s game.
Club’s topscorer this season, Albert Amoah will hope to increase his goal tally to seven and Saaka Dauda will be poised to provide some spark at he left flanks.
Ghana’s FIFA experience referee Daniel Laryea will officiate the crucial game and will be assisted by Isaac Odoom and Alex Osman on the lines. Kick off at 15:00GMT.
