Ashantigold will be in search of redemption when they face regional rivals Asante Kotoko in the NC Special Tier 2 semi final game at the Accra Sports Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.
The Obuasi-based side are the only one of the 4 clubs sponsored by bookmaking giants, Betway, still left in the competition with a chance for silverware, with Medeama, Liberty Professionals and Aduana Stars having fallen along the way.
The Miners suffered an unsuspecting defeat last Sunday at home to Karela United, in perhaps, the cruelest of ways – through the last minute strike.
After hard-fought 90 minutes of action with nothing to separate both sides, the game headed deep into injury time and Diawisie Taylor made sure there would be no penalty shoot out as he stole victory at the death. It was a harsh end to a fantastic run for Ashantigold in the NC Special Tier 1.
But that was a different competition and a different opposition. Kjetil Zachariassen’s men have a chance to rescue their season by toppling bitter rivals Kotoko. But a lot will depend on the coach and his selections.
Some fans of the club were left livid with his decision to not play Ivorian import Richard Djodi, whose creativity was missed in the crucial encounter. The good thing though, is that the Norwegian trainer can always look experienced players such as Shafiu Mumuni, Tijani Joshua, Osei Agyemang, Eric Donkor and the likes for inspiration whenever needed.
Donkor and Agyemang in particular, having previously featured for the Porcupine Warriors, would have extra motivation.
The two sides have already met twice this season, having been drawn in the same Zone in the Tier 1 competition with Kotoko winning the one in Kumasi 2-1 and Ashantigold winning the reverse 1-0.
At a neutral venue like the Accra Sports Stadium, this tie is perfectly poised and the 4 time Ghana Premier League Champions will hope the football Gods will smile on them and take them a step closer to playing in Africa next season.
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Fentuo Tahiru/citinewsroom/Ghana
The post Ashantigold flying Betway flag as they face Kotoko in NC Special Tier 2 semis appeared first on Citi Newsroom.
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