Asante Kotoko will take on sworn rivals Hearts of Oak in the semi-final clash of the NC Special Competition without their in-form striker Fatawu Safiu but that will not affect the team negatively according to head coach CK Alonnor.

Fatawu will be traveling with the Black Stars on Saturday to Dubai for the pre-AFCON caping as he’s been named in Kwas Appiah’s 29-man provisional squad.

The Black Stars will begin Preparation for the tournament on the first of 1st June where they will travel to Dubai for a 17-day camping tour.

Fatawu will travel with the team alongside Felix Annan and will miss their crucial semi-final clash with bitter rivals Accra Hearts of Oak.

Asante Kotoko will travel to Accra to face Hearts of Oak in the semi-final of the Normalizaltion Committee Special Competition on the 16th June, but the confident C K Akonnor insist the absence of his attacker will not affect his side.

“I am hoping that Songne Yacouba will recover quickly and comeback into the team.

“Fatau’s absence won’t cost us. I am praying he doesn’t come back and continue to help Black Stars win the AFCON in Egypt,” he told Light FM.

Abdul Fatawu Safiu scored eight goals for Asante Kotoko enroute to the semi-finals of the competition with seven assists.