On Wednesday, Asante Kotoko will welcome Sudanese top-flight side Al-Hilal to the Accra Sports Stadium as they seek a CAF Champions League group stage place.

A 1-1 draw and an awarded 2-0 victory over Mauritanian league winners FC Nouadhibou saw the Porcupine Warriors advance to their current stage.

Al-Hilal EC battled Ugandan side Vipers in the Preliminary round and came away with an aggregate 2-0 win.

All eyes will be on Kotoko who will be guided by interim coach Johnson Smith in their quest to become a driving force in the continent.

What is the kickoff time?

The match will start at exactly 15:00 GMT.

Head-to-head

The two teams met in the CAF Confederation Cup group stage in 2019.

The Blue Wave beat the Porcupine Warriors 1-0 at home and held their Ghanaian opponents to a 1-1 draw in the return fixture in Kumasi.

Current form of both teams

Kotoko

Kotoko have recorded one defeat in their last five matches (W3 D1 L1).

The Kumasi-based club drew 1-1 with Nouadhibou and were rewarded with a 2-0 victory in the second leg due to medical issues in the camp of the Mauritanian side.

In the Ghana Premier League, Johnson Smith's side recorded 1-0 victories over Dreams FC and Legon Cities. Their 1-0 defeat came at the hands of Great Olympics.

Al-Hilal EC

The Blue Wave have also lost once in their last five games (W3 D1 L1). They grabbed two consecutive 1-0 victories over Vipers recently.

Al-Hilal EC also recorded a comfortable 3-0 win over Ahli Shendi. They drew goalless with Hilal El-Fasher and lost 1-0 to Al-Merreikh.

Team News

Kotoko

Johnson Smith has a fully fit squad available for the game.

Al-Hilal EC

The Sudanese top-flight side have no problems ahead of the fixture.

Match facts

• Al-Hilal EC have won three of their last five away games (W3 D2). During that run, they have netted six goals and conceded one.
• The Blue wave have recorded just two defeats in their last 15 competitive games (W11 D2 L2).
• Kotoko have won two of their last five home games (W2 D2 L1). They netted four goals in those matches and conceded two.
• The Porcupine Warriors have also lost two of their last 15 competitive games (W6 D7 L2).