First of its kind this season Asante Kotoko will welcome eternal rivals Accra Hearts of Oak at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in a titanic encounter dubbed the ‘The Super Clash’.
The Ghana’s version of the Spanish El Clasico which was initially scheduled to take place on December 8, ,2024 had to be postponed to December 15 by the Ghana Football Association to make way for the just ended December 7 General Elections.
The Porcupines pulled down the Oak Tree last season in Kumasi scoring two (2) unanswered goals thanks to Mukwala’s brace of goals in the 9th and the 96th minutes which secured all three points for Prosper Narteh Ogum’s side.
Visitors Accra Hearts of Oak suffered double defeats in the 2023/2024 as they fell again by 3-2 at the hands of a dominant Asante Kotoko side in May 2024 in the capital.
Mukwala scored a brace and Isaac Oppong were on the scoresheet on the day for Kotoko and the Otanga and Martin Karikari got the goals for the Phobians in Accra.
READ ALSO: Wrap/Preview: Ghana Premier League Returns After Two-Week Hiatus.
The weekend meeting will be the 115th encounter between the both sides in the Ghana Premier League since 1958 excluding all truncated league games.
Both teams have endured patchy season with fans calling for the head their coaches along line of the first half of the season.
What are the coaches saying?
Coach Ouattara of Hearts of Oak has picked three straight wins and draw and crowned with a 4-0 victory over Immigration FC in the round of 64 in the MTN FA Cup before the break fortnight ago.
The Ivorian is poised to redeem himself from the hands of Ogum’s side Asante whom he is yet to defeat.
“We can’t jubilate too much because we need to think about the next match [Asante Kotoko],” he told the media after the FA Cup win.
“Kotoko needs the win, and we also need the win. Let’s wait till 15th December to see what happens because that game is a three-point match,” he added.
We are going for the three points; if we don’t get it, we take a point,” he continued.
Opposite number coach Prosper Narteh Ogum returned to winning by defying all odds to defeat Aduana Stars in the last premier league outing in Dormaa and followed with a 2-0 triumph against lower side Future Stars in the MTN FA Cup preliminary round.
The win [against Aduana Stars] has brought some self-belief into the players. They now believe that they can do it,” he said.
“They now believe it is doable. It is something that can be done, so going into our next game [against Hearts of Oak] we are going with a lot of confidence.
“The key thing for our next game is that players will be more confident and believe in themselves that everything is doable and we can do it.”
A glimpse of form for both sides.
Host Asante Kotoko have recorded five wins, four draws and three draws from twelves games putting 7th on the table with 18 points just a point shy off their opponent on Sunday who have seen five victories and same alternating results as Kotoko in draws and lost games lying just above them on the log.
Asante Kotoko Last five games
Legon Cities 2-1 Asante Kotoko
Asante Kotoko 0-1 Heart of Lions
Bechem United 1-0 Asante Kotoko
Asante Kotoko 0-2 Nations FC
Asante Kotoko 2-0 Future Stars
Hearts of Oak last five games
Medeama SC 0-2 Hearts of Oak
Hearts of Oak 1-0 Vision FC
Karela United 0-1 Hearts of Oak
Hearts of Oak 1-1 Nsoatreman FC
Hearts of Oak 4-0 Immigration FC
Players and duels to watch
Hearts of Oak’s topscorer Hamza Mohammed is hoping to increase his goal tally of three but will have to battle with Kotoko’s trusted defenders Samba O’Neil and Justice Blay upfront.
Hearts’s Centrocampista Collinson is expected to shine and provide stability of the midfield for the Phobians but will face a fierce exchanges skillful Baba Yaya and Elvis Kyei Barffour.
In-form Albert Amoah who has six (6) goals to his name is aiming to cause upset for Hearts’ heart of defence of Osei Asibbey and Amofa.
First choice keeper Benjamin Asare has provided some level of consistency in the sticks starting all games this season for Hearts and he is expected come alive once again on Sunday.
Date: December 15, 2024
Kick Off: 15:00GMT
Venue: Baba Yara Sports Stadium
Referee: Prince Okoto Ntiamoah
