Kotoko to host Gold Stars on October 8
Asante Kotoko will aim to bounce back to winning form when they host Bibiani GoldStars in an outstanding Ghana Premier League fixture at the Baba Yara Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.
The match was originally scheduled for September but postponed due to both clubs’ involvement in continental competitions. While GoldStars participated in the CAF Champions League, where JS Kabylie eliminated them, Kotoko advanced past Nigeria’s Kwara United in the CAF Confederation Cup.
Back on the domestic front, both sides are eager to maintain momentum. Kotoko are coming off a goalless draw with Heart of Lions, while GoldStars defeated Swedru All Blacks in their previous outing.
Speaking ahead of the clash, Kotoko head coach Karim Zito said: “Our plan was to make sure any team that comes to the Baba Yara Stadium goes home without a point. Drawing against Heart of Lions means there will be no excuses on Wednesday, we have to beat Bibiani GoldStars.”
The two teams have developed a competitive rivalry in recent times. Since September 2023, they have met six times, with Kotoko winning three, GoldStars two, and one ending in a draw. Kotoko holds a narrow edge in goals scored – five to GoldStars’ four.
Statistically, Kotoko have made a steady start to the league, with one win and one draw in their opening two matches, scoring once and keeping two clean sheets. GoldStars, meanwhile, have won both of their opening games, netting three goals and conceding one.
Interestingly, Kotoko beat GoldStars in the Champion of Champions match before the start of this season to lift the trophy, a result that came just weeks after GoldStars triumphed over Kotoko en route to winning the GHALCA Top 4 competition.
With both sides in form and plenty of recent history between them, Wednesday’s encounter promises to be a fiercely contested battle in Kumasi.
