ASANTE Kotoko will open their second round campaign tomorrow when they clash with Dreams FC at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in the Ghana Premier League (GPL) match-day 18 fixture.

Ending their last game in the first round in a 0-0 stalemate with arch-rivals Hearts of Oak last weekend, the Porcupine Warriors will be hoping to bounce back to winning ways.

Last season’s runners-up rallied from behind to record an emphatic 3-1 over Dreams on match-day one with goals from Mudasiru Salifu, Richard Lamptey and Isaac Oppong giving Kotoko their first three points before the latter scored first through Issahaku Fatawu.

Revenge would, therefore, be stuck on the minds of ninth-placed Dreams who will miss the services of star-man Issahaku Fatawu, the goal-getter having joined Portuguese Club Sporting Lisbon, weeks ago.

At the El-Wak Sports Stadium today, reigning champions Hearts of Oak will face a tough task against Legon Cities in the second round after a 0-0 draw at the Accra Sports Stadium in the first round.

With pressure gradually mounting on trainer Samuel Boadu after his side’s ‘wasteful’ display against Kotoko last weekend, the former Medeama SC gaffer has targeted an improved performance in the second round against the Royals who are keen on escaping relegation after finishing 15th in the first round with 19 points.

Tomorrow at the Nduom Park, relegation-threatened Elmina Sharks will host debutants Accra Lions as the Obuasi-based Ashantigold SC will welcome Eleven Wonders to the Len Clay Stadium same day.

Second-placed Bechem United will make a trip to the Tarkwa T&N Park to lock horns with Medeama on Sunday, whilst at the Accra Sports Stadium same day, high-performing Great Olympics will battle it out with Real Tamale United (RTU) on Monday.

Bottom-placed WAFA will face a tough contest against impressive King Faisal at the Sogakope Red Bull Arena tomorrow.

Fourth-positioned Aduana Stars will square off with Karela United in a dicey clash at the Nana Agyeman Badu I Park tomorrow before newbies Gold Stars play as guest of Berekum Chelsea at the Golden City Park tomorrow to climax the opening round fixtures of the second half.

BY LINUS SIAW NARTEY