By Gideon Kwame Boateng
Asante Kotoko Reserve team coach Sarfo Castro will take charge of the side for Sunday's first leg pre-season tie against Hearts of Oak, GHANAsoccernet.com can confirm.
The arch-rivals have agreed to play in a two-legged tie to test their readiness for the Premier League which begins on 9 October.
Newly-appointed coach Maxwell Konadu, who assisted Kwesi Appiah to win the All Africa Games gold medal, has been allowed some time to rest.
"Maxwell won't be on the bench for the game. He doesn't know the players enough so it will be suicidal for him to sit on the bench," Kotoko spokesperson Listowell Bukarson told Angel FM.
Castro, a former player of the club, previously worked with Okwahu United in the second-tier league.
He has been taking charge of the first team as the club struggle to appoint an assistant coach.
Kotoko host the first leg at the Baba Yara Stadium on 25 September and the second leg scheduled for Accra on 1 October.