Inter Allies play hosts to Kumasi Asante Kotoko at the Tema Stadium in the first of match day 18 fixtures on of the 2015/16 Ghana Premier League on Saturday.
While the ‘Eleven is to One’ boys are bidding time to beat the drop from the relegation zone, the Porcupines seek to topple league leaders Wa All Stars. Inter Allies are 13th on the log.
The visitors anticipate a tough test on Saturday since they laboured to defeat the home side by a goal to nil in the first round.
“We are going all out on Saturday. I normally don’t talk tactics ahead of games. I know the game plan to deploy. I believe strongly that it can get me my desired results.
“Inter Allies were very determined in the first game. That was because they wanted to impress their coach [Jimmy Corblah] who was new then.
“He’s a good coach but the case is different now. I have confidence in my men. We are in good shape,” Kotoko coach Michael Osei said in his pre-match thoughts.
Prince Baffoe who switched camp from the porcupine warriors last season is aware of the threats of his former side.
“It’s a big game. They are in good form but we are confident and we hope to deliver on the important day (Saturday).
“It’s down to us to put in a very good performance; hopefully we can ask all the questions that needs to be asked,” he told the club’s website.
These clubs have formerly met on five occasions. Kotoko have won three (3), lost one (1) and drew one (1).
The last time the home side lost at home was a 2-3 defeat to Hearts of Oak. They have since not looked back, winning three (3) and drawing two (2). They have kept two clean sheets out of their last five (5) home games. Generally, the Tema-based club have scored 16 at home in this season’s league and conceded eight (8). In their last five (5) matches, they have picked two (2) wins, two defeats (2) and a draw.
Kotoko is yet to pick a win in their last two outings but has generally lost four (4), won three (3) and drawn one (1) of their last eight (8) away matches played. They have lost only one (1) of their last five away matches, won three (3) and drawn (1). The Porcupines have scored a paltry of four (4) goals and conceded seven (7).
Missing the action will be Kotoko’s leading goal scorer, Dauda Mohammed likewise Inter Allies duo Kwame Baah and Evans Mensah, who are all away with the national Under-20 team to play against Senegal in the qualifiers to the African Youth Championship.
The match will be officiated by Kenndy Padi who will be assisted on the lines by Samuel Asued and Falla Rahman. Ali Alhassan takes the 4th official role.
Probable Line-ups
Inter Allies
Kwame Osei,Edward Adjaklo, Emmanuel Nettey, Sheriff Deo Mohammed, Ismael Ntefuni, Ibrahim Alhassan, Ropapa Mensah, Wahab Ackwei, Gockel Ahotor, Simon Martey, Abdul Hudu
Asante Kotoko
Ernest Sowah, Amos Frimpong, Evans Quao, Ahmed Adams, Samuel Kyere, Kojo Poku, Sarfo Gyamfi, Stephen Nyarko, Obed Owusu, Bennett Ofori, Emmanuel Osei
