Relegation fight: Kotoko take on Hasaacas in a make or break encounter

Sekondi Hasaacas could condemn Kumasi Asante Kotoko to relegation, if they manage to beat the champions on Sunday at the Essipong Sports Stadium.

Asante Kotoko are now a possible candidate for relegation, following the decision of the Disciplinary Committee to uphold the protest of Hearts of Oak against the Porcupine Warriors for using Obed Owusu, who was unqualified to play in their match day 25 league game in Accra.

Kotoko have been ducked 6 points, losing the 3 points earned after beating Hearts 2-1 and additional 3 points as the offence for using an ineligible player, which has pushed them from the 3 position on the league log to 15 with two matches to spare.

However, they have filed an appeal against the decision of the Disciplinary Committee and are optimistic their points will be restored.

The Porcupine Warriors will have to win to be in a safer position to beat relegation ahead of their final day match against Aduana Stars in Kumasi, whiles the appeal process goes on.

However, Hasaacas who are on 39 points need at least a point to position themselves well, entering into the final day of the season.

Kotoko have won four away games which is the best so far in the season, whiles Hasaacas have won 12 home league matches and drawn 2, without any defeat this season is one best home record this season by a club.

The danger men for Hasaacas are Kojo Poku who has scored 5 league goals and Samuel Afful with 4 league goals, while Asante Kotoko's marksman is Ahmed Toure who is on 11 league goals.

Kotoko's attacking line will be weak, because they will be forced to drop Obed Owusu, who has been declared ineligible, following the ruling of the Disciplinary Committee to declare the Porcupine Warriors losers, after he featured in their game against Hearts, hence the need for him to serve a one match suspension.

Also Dauda Mohammed, their sensational chap and their dependable goalkeeper, Eric Ofori Antwi are part of the Black Meteors team participating in the All African Games in Congo.

Head to head
-Hasaacas held Asante Kotoko to 2-2 draw in Kumasi in the first round

-Kotoko have had 76 league encounters with Sekondi Hasaacas. The figure is not an odd number because in some of the seasons in the 60's and the 70's, only second round games came off or the league ended abruptly and the leaders were declared champions.

-Kotoko have beaten Hasaacas on 40 occasions, which is more than half of their meetings, with Hasaacas winning 21 and 15 of them ending in draws.

-The Giants of the West defeated Kotoko in their very first league encounter in 1958 at Jackson Park in Kumasi by three (3) goals to two (2)

Head to head in only the Ghana Premier League (GPL)

-The GPL started in the 1993-94 season, but Hasaacas made their maiden premier league appearance in the 1996-97 season.

-The Porcupine Warriors have played against the Giant of the West on 27 occasions.

-Hasaacas have won twice of their meetings, with Kotoko winning 14 and drawing 11 games.

-Hasaacas are yet to beat Kotoko at their home grounds (Gyandu or Essipong), since the inception of the Premier League, (L7, D6)