The stage is yet again set for the biggest game in the Ghanaian club football as rivals Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko faceoff on Sunday at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The clash, passably the top-liner of the second week matches of the 2013/2014 Ghana Premier League is one every fan is anxiously looking forward to. Christened ‘Ghana’s version of the El-Clasico,’ all roads lead towards Accra, the Ghanaian capital.
Matches between the two sides are a must-watch for every football lover and overshadows all activities irrespective of the location. The national stadium, home to Hearts, the oldest existing Ghanaian football club, is expected to be dominated by the red, yellow and blue colours of Hearts and the red army of Kotoko fans.
Both clubs got off to perfect starts to the new season, defending champions Kotoko taming Aduana Stars 2-1 in Sunyani whilst Hearts humbled Edubiase 2-0 at the latter’s backyard. Playing at home, the Phobians as Hearts are nicknamed will be eyeing their first victory over their bitterest rivals in three-years.
Hearts have emerged victors 15 times in the 51 matches it has hosted; Kotoko has managed 14 wins and 22 ending in stalemates.
The Phobians have been buoyed by the return to fitness of new recruit, Emmanuel Hayford, who bagged a brace at the weekend though influential midfielder Moro Abubakar is suspended for the tie.
For head coach David Duncan, the victory in the opener serves a great boost ahead of the much awaited ‘super’ clash.
“We needed that kind of boost going into this game and I think that we have found the right tonic going into this kind of game. The stage is set for a game of two teams whose confidence perhaps is almost at very high level.
“We are pegged at the same level of confidence.
I think perhaps even ours is much higher because we won by 2 goals without reply and they won by 2-1. From that perspective, I think it serves as a very good boost for us,” Duncan was quoted by the club’s website.
However Asante Kotoko captain Michael Akuffu is counting on experience to do the trick against their archrivals. Akuffu, whose screamer two years ago sealed victory for the Porcupine Warriors in a similar encounter in Kumasi, is convinced the three points will be theirs after the game.
“We have a lot of experienced players in the team and over the last two years they have shown their quality which is important for the team and the club.
“Our aim is to stay focus to achieve our targets. Hearts will be tough but Accra is our home and we’ll do our best to win there,” he noted.
In the mining city of Obuasi, former champions AshantiGold will engage Liberty Professionals in search of their first win of the season whilst King Faisal square Heart of Lions in Kumasi, Ghana’s second biggest city.
Returnees Bechem United face a difficult task away to Medeama, Dwarfs versus Hasaacas in Cape Coast whilst Aduana are poised to subdue debutants Inter Allies at their Dormaa fortress.
All Stars and Edubiase will battle it out up north in Wa whereas Amiadus Professionals faces 2010/2011 champions Berekum Chelsea in the port city of Tema.
Source: GBC
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