Ashanti derby: Ashgold to battle Kotoko in Kumasi

Limping Asante Kotoko and Ashgold who have been on a lower gear in recent times will go to the battle field in an attempt to salvage the three the maximum points involved.

Both teams have gone three matches without a win in all competitions: Kotoko have lost their three straight matches 2 league games and a 1 elite Cup encounter, while the Miners have lost a game and drawn 2 of them.

Ashgold need the points to secure their lead on top of the league log which has been cut down to 2 points by Berekum Chelsea, who have been splendid in the second half of the league, while Kotoko are determined to left themselves from the 12 position on the league table, making them just 2 places above the  drop zone.

Ashgold, despite having chalked series of good results against the Porcupine Warriors in the pre-season were knocked out of the MTN FA Cup by the champions in a 2-0 score line at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, Kumasi.

Current form and team new
Kotoko have been promised a whooping amount by Kennedy Agyapong, a fomer Vice Chairman of the club should they manage a win over the Obuasi based side.

The Porcupine in the midweek were piped by a goal to nil at the Sogakope Astroturf by WAFA, whereas Ashgold drew blank against New Edubiase at the Len Clay Sports Stadium.

The leading scorers for both sides are on ten goals apiece in the league: Ahmed Toure for Kotoko and Yakubu Mohammed for the Miners.

Kotoko were humiliated at home by Berekum Chelsea in a 0-3 defeat last week-end, while the Miners also lost their away game by 1-2 to Heart of Lions.

The Porcupine Warriors have won 4, lost 3 and drawn 4 of their 11 league home games.

Kotoko have have been struggling at the back following the injury of their dependable defender, Abeiku Ainooson in their game against Bechem United and will still have no part to play in this clash.

Ashgold have lost 6 away games, managed 3 wins and drawn 2 in 11 games, but the last time they won a game outside Obuasi in the league was March day 6 against Liberty Professionals at Dansoman. Although they defeated New Edubiase in an away game it was played at Obuasi on match day 8.

Ashgold, despite sharing the best away win record with Kotoko, 3 apiece, they have gone 7 matches without a win in away encounters.

The Porcupine Warriors missed the services of three key players in their mid-week game against WAFA: Ahmed Toure was suffering from malaria infection, while Michael Akuffu was suspended due to accumulated yellow cards and Jordan Opoku wasn't also feeling well, but they are expected return to action against the Miners.

Coach Bashiru Hayford is confident his side are still in the best position to win the league title, despite Chelsea's wild chase 'A lot of people are of the view that our points lead has reduced to two,  so we will surrender our lead to Berekum Chelsea , who are second, but they should remember both of us are playing away and anything can happen. I still believe we have what it takes to win the league,' he said.

Coach David Duncan believes his team put a good show despite defeat against WAFA on an unfavorable artificial turf, hence should convert it into goal scoring 'We dominated play against WAFA and I was impressed with the way the team played, but it is just that we couldn't score' he said.

Head to head
These sides have played 55 games against each other in the league, with the Porcupine Warriors having won 24, Ashgold having won 13 and 18 games ended in draws.

Ashgold have a poor away record in Kumasi against Asante Kotoko (L18, W1 and D8) in 27 visits. The only win for the Miners in Kumasi in the league came in 2010 through Frederick Quayson.

Last season, the champions responded to a 2-0 loss in Obuasi to Ashgold by thrashing the latter 4-1 in the return fixture.

In the first round of the ongoing season the league leaders fought from a goal down to beat the Porcupine Warriors 2-1 at the Len Clay Sports Stadium in Obuasi.