Asante Kotoko play Hearts of Oak at the Baba Yara Stadium in their first match of the 2022/23 BetPawa Ghana Premier League on Sunday.
The match day three fixture will be the Porcupines’ first after having had two opening games rescheduled due to their involvement in the CAF Champions League.
Kotoko enter the game needing a win to appease the fans after their disappointing 3-1 penalty shootout loss to RC Kadiogo last weekend.
The hosts’ Burkinabe coach, Seydou Zerbo together with new signings such as Nicholas Mensah, John Tedeku, Enoch Morrison and Nicholas Osei Bonsu will play against Hearts of Oak for the first time.
Hearts of Oak on the other hand will have to do without star forward, Daniel Afriyie Barnieh who is on national team duty with Black Stars.
However, new signings including Konadu Yiadom, Yassan Ouaching, Junior Kaaba will hope for an opportunity to feature in the weekend’s topliner.
Kotoko are unbeaten in their last four games at home, dating back to May 2022 when they lost to Berekum Chelsea.
Hearts of Oak lost 1-0 to Kotoko in their last visit to the venue, a result Coach Samuel Boadu would hope to avoid.
The Rainbow club, despite strengthening the side with many new signings are winless in their two opening games.
They lost 1-0 to Aduana Stars away before drawing 1-1 with Great Olympics in the Mantse Derby.
Meanwhile, goals have been a scarce commodity in recent clashes between the two teams.
Their last four meetings have failed to produce more than one goal, with either side winning a game and two ending in draws.
The match is scheduled for 3 PM local time.
— Ferdinand A. Baah
