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Zesco United vs Asante Kotoko: How the Porcupines could line-up against the Zegalacticos

By Michael Duah
Zesco United vs Asante Kotoko: How the Porcupines could line-up against the Zegalacticos
Zesco United vs Asante Kotoko: How the Porcupines could line-up against the Zegalacticos
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Asante Kotoko need to produce a special win against Zesco United at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola, Zambia, while also hoping Al Hilal and Nkana FC either share the spoils or Nkana win away in Sudan.

Zesco have been unimpressive at home recently and the Porcupine Warriors go into the game off the back of a disappointing home draw with Al Hilal over the weekend.

Asante Kotoko suffered their one and so far only draw at home in the 2018/2019 CAF Confederation Cup against Al Hilal last weekend, leaving them with a huge mountain to climb when they face off against Zesco in the final Group C game on Sunday.

Zesco also head into the last match on the back of two successive defeats following a 3-1 away loss to second-placed Hilal of Sudan on March 3, who have 8 points, before that humbling away loss at Nkana.

The 2017 CAF Confederation Cup quarter-finalists are bottom of Group C on 4 points from five games after losing 3-0 away to their Zambian compatriots and leaders on 9 points, Nkana, on March 10 to extinguish their last eight dreams with a match to spare. Kotoko are third on 7 points.

The corresponding match weeks ago finished in a 2-0 win for Asante Kotoko at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.

The Porcupine Warriors have no choice than to beat Zesco United to secure qualification to the quarter-finals of the competition.

Here, PrimeNewsGhana's Duah Michael looks at how the Reds could line up for Sunday's contest.

Out: Songne Yacouba(suspended), Maxwell Baakoh (Injury), Richard Senanu (Injury)
Doubtful: None

The fact that poster boy Songne Yacouba will miss out for Kotoko with cards accumulation brings up an interesting selection dilemma for head coach C.K Akonnor.

Abdul Fatawu will, of course, lead the Porcupines attack, but it remains to be seen what happens around the center-forward. Emmanuel Gyamfi should start in a forward area, while Frederick Boateng will be the player hoping to most profit from Yacouba's absence.

A more conservative approach, however, would be to introduce another midfielder, with Habib Mohammed an ideal option, although that might be seen as too disruptive of Akonnor's preferred formation, and there is no question that Umar Basiru and Kwame Bonsu will all start.

Umar Basiru have profited from the injury problems to Richard Senanu after being given a run of games, with the latter producing one of his best displays yet in Asante Kotoko shirt in the reverse game against Nkana FC two weeks ago in Kumasi.

It is less complicated in a defensive position, with an injury to Abdul Ganiyu helping Agyemang Badu keep his spot at center-back alongside Wahab Adams, while captain Amos Frimpong should again edge out Augustine Sefah to start on the right of the back four with Daniel Darkwah on the opposite side.

Ever impressive Felix Annan will be between the sticks for the Porcupines again and he will be hoping to keep a clean sheet in Zambia.

READ ALSO: CAFCC: Kotoko to depart Ghana today ahead of Zesco do-or-die tie

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