After an eventful summer of transfer activity, Asante Kotoko is now ready to shift its focus back to the field as they take on Karela United in the opening week of the 2024/25 Ghana Premier League season.
The much-anticipated clash is scheduled for Sunday, September 8, at the Naa Sheriga Sports Center in Nalerigu, with kickoff set for 3:00 PM.
MATCH PREVIEW
Both Karela United and Asante Kotoko are entering the new season after undergoing squad adjustments through a series of friendly matches. Karela United made notable changes to their roster, releasing several players and bringing in new recruits to bolster their squad.
Asante Kotoko, too, has strengthened its lineup, adding both domestic talents and international players to build a competitive team for the upcoming season.
Karela United will be looking to maintain their solid record against the Porcupine Warriors. In the 2023/24 season, they held Kotoko to a 1-1 draw away and secured a 1-0 victory at home. Karela finished 12th last season, while Asante Kotoko finished in 6th place.
Asante Kotoko is determined to break their recent winless streak against Karela United and start their campaign with a victory. After a summer of high-profile departures and new signings, Kotoko will be eager to test their revamped squad and showcase the team's new potential under coach Prosper Narteh Ogum.
TEAM NEWS
Karela United have brought in new legs while sticking with the core of the group that survived the drop on the final day of the Premier League. The likes of Benjamin York, Mohammed Abubakar, Fidaus Mohammed, Alhassan Ali, Najib Fuseini Ibrahim, Awudu Mohammed, Faisal Gariba, Victor Aidoo, Abdul Basit, Solomon Aboagye, Emmanuel Anaful, Samuel Asiedu and Giyasu Ibrahim are all fit and ready for the game on Sunday.
A number of high profile players including former captain Danlad Ibrahim as well as Kalo Ouattara, Nicholas Osei Bonsu, Isaac Oppong, Augustine Agyapong, Nicholas Mensah, John Tedeku, Sherif Mohammed, George Mfegue, Serge Eric Zeze and Moise Pouaty all left the club.
But there have been replacements too, largely touted as decent. Samuel Tenedu, Lord Amoah, Emmanuel Antwi, Joseph Ablorh, Albert Amoah, Abdulrahman Abdulkarim, Ndongani Samba Gilbani, Patrick Asiedu, Saaka Dauda, Esmat Abdulhamid and Elvis Kyei Baffour as well as Nigerian winger Fernando Wisdom Bassey have been brought in to restore energy.
On the injury front, the Porcupines will go into the game without Elvis Kyei Baffour who has been sidelined due to a hamstring while Bernard Somuah who has been their best player in the preseason has left to join Celta Vigo on loan.
Karela United possible starting lineup:
Ganiu Mohammed (GK), Jibril Nurudeen, Mohammed Abubakar, Emmanuel Anaful, Gariba Faisal, Awudu Mohammed, Najib Fuseini, Bright Andoh, Victor Aidoo, Benjamin York, George Amonoo
Asante Kotoko possible starting lineup:
Mohammed Camara (GK), Lord Amoah, Patrick Asiedu, Samba Oneil, Justice Blay, Samuel Tenadu, Amidu Acquah, Emmanuel Antwi, Albert Amoah, Baba Yahaya, Saaka Dauda.
PREDICTION
With so many players at his disposal, it appears Ogum has stumbled across his strongest XI quite early, and an attacking performance which resembles anything like what they produced at Vision FC will surely seal another three points here.
We say: Karela 1-2 Kotoko
KICKOFF: 15:00GMT (3:00pm)
