Asante Kotoko this season have targetted a group stage berth and will have to overcome Al Hilal Omdurman when both teams meet this afternoon at the Accra Sports Stadium for the first round first leg tie.
The last few days, in the camp of Kotoko, have witnessed infamous incidents, with Maxwell Konadu’s sacking picking the top spot out of the troubles list and Communications Director Moses Antwi Benefo also resigning.
In the midst of the storm, Asante Kotoko, out of the blue grasped a needful away win over Dreams FC in Dawu, last weekend.
Their next line of action is a crunchy Champions League game, on Wednesday, December 23, against Sudanese giants Al Hilal, at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Asante Kotoko is at a crossroad with the chance of positively impacting in the competition.
The playing body sets sight on the task ahead, churn out a five-star performance and victory will be welcomed home.
An elimination of the North African side will not only come as live-saving mark to the entire Kotoko fraternity but also a clear indication of readiness to lead the team by Interim Coach, Johnson Smith.
Anything short of that, is bound to derail efforts made to elevate Ghana Football to the highest-ranking and an unbearable blow to Kotoko’s targets
Asante Kotoko, over the past few years in the CAF Champions League, have left nothing whatsoever of nostalgic to linger on as the Africa Club of the Century. The club continue their search for a group stage appearance in the competition since 2006, they will hope to finish off their current opponents on home soil before the return leg in Omdurman.
What is expected of Asante Kotoko this afternoon is to get convincing results that will rekindle hopes of making it to the group stage.
Where to watch
The game will be shown live on Ceek.com and GTV Sports+
Current form of both teams
Asante Kotoko
Kotoko have recorded one defeat in their last five matches (W3 D1 L1).
The Kumasi-based club drew 1-1 with Nouadhibou and were rewarded with a 2-0 victory in the second leg due to medical issues in the camp of the Mauritanian side.
In the Ghana Premier League, Johnson Smith’s side recorded 1-0 victories over Dreams FC and Legon Cities. Their 1-0 defeat came at the hands of Great Olympics.
Al-Hilal Omdurman
The Blue Wave have also lost once in their last five games (W3 D1 L1). They grabbed two consecutive 1-0 victories over Vipers recently.
Al-Hilal EC also recorded a comfortable 3-0 win over Ahli Shendi. They drew goalless with Hilal El-Fasher and lost 1-0 to Al-Merreikh.
Team news
Kotoko
Coach Johnson Smith and Abdulai Gazale will have a full house to choose from following the return of captain and goalkeeper Felix Annan who is yet to feature for the club after Berekum Chelsea injury and Habib Mohammed who missed the FC Nouadhibou clash due to suspension.
However, they will be happy with the return of Emmanuel Keyekeh and Osman Ibrahim who were not in the squad last weekend.
Al Hilal
The Sudanese giants have no problems ahead of the fixture.
Match facts
• Al-Hilal EC have won three of their last five away games (W3 D2). During that run, they have netted six goals and conceded one.
• The Blue wave have recorded just two defeats in their last 15 competitive games (W11 D2 L2).
• Kotoko have won two of their last five home games (W2 D2 L1). They netted four goals in those matches and conceded two.
• The Porcupine Warriors have also lost two of their last 15 competitive games (W6 D7 L2).
Match details
Date: 23rd December 2020
Time: 3:00pm Local time
Venue: Accra Sports Stadium
Credit: 442gh.com
