Samartex FC and Asante Kotoko will have a date on Saturday afternoon at the Nsenkyire Sports Arena in the opening fixture of Ghana Premier League match-week 22.
The champions nipped on a late sumptuous free kick from young lateral Augustine Agyapong to come from a goal down to beat Samartex 2-1 in the first leg in Kumasi.
Both teams have been very abysmal in their last five games in the league and are looking very desperate this time to patch up all cracks and seek nothing but a win to get themselves back on winning ways.
The Timber giants after a vital win over Aduana Stars to halt their two-game losing streak, surged on to hold Great Olympics to a stalemate in the capital during the last round of matches.
With two wins and two draws each in their previous five, Samartex are currently sitting 9th on the standing with 30 points.
Asante Kotoko on the other hand, have been out of action since losing painfully and narrowly to eternal rivals Hearts of Oak weeks ago in a game that doubled as a league and President Cup fixture.
They weren't in action last week following the postponement of their round 21 game with regional rivals King Faisal- a tie which has been pushed to April 5, 2023.
Despite sitting fifth at the moment and are three places above their opponents on the table, they lead them with only a point as they currently on 31 and will look to win today to extend the gap and also return into the best four.
TEAM NEWS
Coach Annor Walker has no any major Injury concerns from their last game and will have all his men poised and ready for the crunchy clash coming up.
Goalkeeper Richard Baidoo is still not eligible for the game as he continues to serve his indefinite suspension by the club. Lawrence Ansah has replaced him well reason he hasn't been missed in Samreboi.
However, coach Seydou Zerbo won't be at the dugout for the game since he is yet to return from his native Burkina Faso following the sad demise of his 10-year old son. Assistant coach Orlando Wellington has gotten the nod to lead the team.
Danlad Ibrahim and Augustine Agyapong are not part of the team due to their engagement with the Black Meteors as they prepare to take on Algeria. However, the club has been handed a major boost with the return of combative midfielder Justice Blay from the treatment room.
The injury list includes Rashid Nortey, Maxwell Agyemang, Isaac Oppong, Yusif Mubarik, and Dickson Afoakwa, who are still unavailable for the trip.
TV CHANNEL: StarTimes Adepa 247
KICKOFF: 1500GMT (3:00pm)
