Accra Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante Kotoko are set to renew their rivalry in the re-play of the 2019 President’s Cup which promises lots of thrills and chills especially as the new football season approaches.
The much anticipated “Super Clash’’ would see the two arch-rivals lock horns at the Baba Yara Stadium, Kumasi, on Sunday, December 22, after the initial match was rained off back in September at the same venue.
But for the unsafe nature of the Accra Sports Stadium, the match would have been played at the capital, but the organisers made a last-minute change of mind by reverting to Kumasi and pushing the match one week further.
The stakes for this rematch are very high and could possibly define the season for either sides, as it has proven to be in the past with beautiful sets up for an intriguing and fascinating encounter.
New coach of Asante Kotoko, Maxwell Konadu seems to be optimistic about victory on Sunday, as the boys look poised for the encounter against their arch-rivals.
“I see this matchup as a normal one and we would give our best to ensure victory. No need to put pressure on the team because we don’t need that right now.
"The players know what is at stake, so need to put pressure on them, so let’s take it as a normal game but on the match-day, we want the victory,’’ he said on Tuesday.
His opposite gaffer, Kim Grant, seems to be under pressure ahead of the new season as Hearts targets to break its 10-year trophy-less jinx and a win for Grant against Kotoko would boost the morale in the Phobian camp especially with recent wrangling between the management and supporters.
Team News
The Porcupine Warriors are expected to have their first goalkeeper back in post having begun light training on Tuesday after suffering a minor injury.
Left-back Evans Owusu is also expected to be in the squad for the clash on Sunday having missed out on their friendly against Sky FC.
Hearts of Oak new signing Richard Attah is expected to make his debut for the Phobians in the goal post having moved Elmina Sharks in the transfer window.
Hearts attacker Michelle Sarpong is expected to be passed fit for the Kotoko encounter having recovered from a knock he suffered during Hearts clash against Togolese side Etoile Filante.
Hearts Squad
Richmond Ayi, Richard Attah, Christopher Bonney, William Dankyi, Robert Addo, Mohammed Alhassan, Fatawu Mohammed, Radji Avuoka, Bejamin Agyare, Benjamin Affutu, Charles Marcatthy, Michelle Sarpong, Menaf Umar, Joseph Esso, Benard Arthur, Kofi Kordzi, Kwadwo Obeng Junior, Aminu Alhassan, Dominic Eshun
Kotoko Squad
Felix Annan, Kwame Baah, Ayiku Tetteh, Ampem Dacosta, S. Frimpong, Wahab Adams, Kwame Adom, Daniel Afriyie, Douglas Ansah, Kingsley Osei, Evans Owusu, Emmanuel Gyamfi, Richard Arthur, Kelvin Andoh, Richard Arthur, Sogne Yakuba, George Abege, Martin Antwi, Didi Arnaud