King Faisal will be aiming this afternoon to follow in the footsteps of Bechem United and Kpando Heart of Lions as the third club to defeat Kumasi Asante Kotoko in the Premier League this season, making their local derby at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium a must-watch affair.
In contrast with their not-too-impressive away record, Kotoko’s home form has been flawless, winning all five games at the same venue shared by the two clubs, but in-form Faisal striker Sulley Mohammed and the club’s Peruvian coach, Carlos Roberto Paulette, have potent weapons capable of condemning the Porcupine Warriors to their first defeat at home this season.
Faisal defeated the defending league champions 2-1 in their last clash in Kumasi and they go into today’s match from a position of strength as they are also unbeaten in Kumasi this season and have won two of their last three games, including a 1-1 draw with Accra Hearts of Oak in Accra. The two clubs, however, have an identical record in their last 12 meetings with both clubs winning three, drawing six and losing three games each.
Kotoko’s under-fire coach, Mas-Ud Didi Dramani, must halt his side’s current slide that has seen the leaders reduced four-point cushion to one at the top of the league.
Interim Accra Hearts of Oak coach, Ben Adlei, enters his second game against fourth-placed Medeama SC with the same uncertainty that preceded his first assignment, with fans of Ghana’s oldest existing club still grumbling at the club’s shock decision to part company with head coach, David Duncan.
The match has been given another twist with the Phobians ordered to play Medeama in their home clash at the Robert Mensah Stadium in Cape Coast instead of the traditional Accra Sports Stadium, after being handed a home ban by the Premier League Board (PLB) following the indiscretions of their fans after the 1-1 draw with Faisal.
In other midweek fixtures, 14th-placed New Edubiase United face eighth-placed Amidaus Professionals at Bekwai, while Inter Allies play third-placed Ashantigold at the Tema Stadium, 12th-placed Sekondi Hasaacas host ninth-placed Liberty Professionals at the Sekondi Stadium at Essipon, Bechem United clash with Kpando Heart of Lions at Bechem, Montenegrin coach Milislav Bogdanovich takes charge of his first game at Aduana Stars when they take on Ebusua Dwarfs at Dormaa-Ahenkro, with Wa All Stars hosting Berekum Chelsea.
