Warriors take siege of Berekum in Week 30

Our penultimate Ghana Premier League away fixture of the 2023–24 season will see us lock horns with Berekum Chelsea at the Golden City Park on Saturday.

 

After a 15-day build-up to this game with two wins from two low-profile friendlies at Adako Jachie Training Grounds, our Porcupine Warriors go to Berekum in full confidence, aiming to keep the momentum and resurgence against the Bibires.

Having not lost a game since our away defeat to Dreams FC last month at Dawu, we could extend our unbeaten streak should we avoid a setback at Berekum. To make history, a win will be our first three points on the road this year and our first victory in Berekum in our Premier League history.

Despite the 3-0 last defeat at home to Hearts of Oak, Berekum Chelsea are a dangerous side on any day in their backyard, as only Nsoatreman and Hearts of Oak have left Berekum with three points this season.

Aside from Nsoatreman having 17 points on the road, Asante Kotoko are the best Premier League travellers this season, having made 16 points on the road. The last away trip saw us pick up a point against Medeama after Steven Mukwala’s powerful header in the first half.

Dr. Prosper Narteh will throw everything into this game in an attempt to keep our ambitions of a good finish in the league and a perfect head start to the big clash against Hearts of Oak next week.

This is a massive fixture for both sides because Berekum Chelsea will look forward to avenging the first round defeat at Baba Yara Stadium, while Asante Kotoko will look to make back-to-back wins over Berekum Chelsea. 

We've already done a lot of on-field training sessions and a series of video analysis sessions ahead of this crucial game on Saturday at 3:00 pm.

Moreover, we will also, come up against three of our former Warriors: 2021/22 Premier League winner Stephen Amankona, Collins Ameyaw, and our 2017 F.A. Cup winner Ahmed Adams, while our forward Kalo Ouattara is in contention to play against his former club for the first time this season.

■ — TEAM NEWS

• Isaac Oppong, Henry Ansu, and Rocky Dwamena will be out of Saturday’s game through injury.

• Enock Morrison, Andrews Ntim Manu, and Frederick Asare will serve a one-game suspension tomorrow after receiving their third yellow card of the Premier League season against Legon Cities.

• Richmond Lamptey will continue to be missing through injury.

• John Tedeku is back for on-field jogging, but he’s yet to join the squad for group training.

• As we reported earlier, midfielder Michael Kyei Dwamena is finally back and available for selection.

• Sherif Mohammed (midfielder) is out for the season after undergoing successful surgery.

 

■ — MATCH OFFICIALS

Andrews Awurisa will be the centre referee for our matchday 30 fixture against Berekum Chelsea. He was in charge of our 2-0 away win over Bofoakwa Tano at Coronation Park in December.

Referee: Andrews Awurisa

Assistant referee 1: Tijani Mohammed

Assistant referee 2: James Osafo

Fourth official: Ibrahim Ayaaba

Matc Commissioner: John Obuabisa