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14th April, 2012
Kotoko Play Hearts In Baba Yara Stadium
The Baba Yara Stadium will come alive tomorrow afternoon when league leaders Kumasi Asante Kotoko welcome third place Accra Hearts of Oak in the biggest match on the Glo Premier League calendar.
With 10 points separating both sides, Hearts have vowed to reduce the lead by 3points while the “Reds” are gunning to use the visitors as the icing to crown the capture of their 22nd league title.
The race for the title seem far from their reach of the Phobians but a win against their bitterest rivals in Kumasi tomorrow is likely to set the Hearts fans at ease.
For Hearst’s new coach, C. K Akunnor who is chasing his third straight win in the league since assuming that role, a victory would do him a lot of good and endear him into the hearts of the Phobian family, and this is exactly what he seeks to do come tomorrow as history from the last five matches in Kumasi gives him the odd.
Hearts seem to have hit their scoring form at the opportune time ,beating Wa All Stars 3-0 in last Sunday’s league game and the fans will be expecting the side to make it three wins in a row against the Porcupine Warriors, come tomorrow.
For Hearts, the history of not losing a league game in Kumasi since 2006 till date is one record they are bent on maintaining this season.
Another fact of history that the Phobians would be riding on is after defeating Wa All Stars 3-0 last season in Accra they followed it up with a 1-0 win against Kotoko 1-0 in Kumasi.
On the part of Kotoko faithful, who will be welcoming the return of Coach Maxwell Konadu to the teams’ bench after serving a two match ban, it is time to break that six-year jinx in Kumasi on route to winning their 22nd league title.
Since taking charge of Kotoko Coach Konadu holds the bragging rights over Hearts as he oversaw a 3-1 win in Accra during the Super Two clash.
Although a win for the visitors would not see them losing their hold on the league log, the Porcupine lads are bent on putting the icing on their league title aspirations with a sweet win against their nemesis Hearts and to quash the believe that Kumasi is a favourable grounds for the Phobians.
On current form one might be tempted to sway victory in favour of the host but the history of matches between both sides have proven that there is more to whatever decides matches between both sides.
One thing missing ahead of this game is the usual high euphoria that naturally surround a typical Hearts-Kotoko clash but come what may expect 90minutes of fierce pitch battle when centre referee Solomon Modey assisted by Shine Ayitey and Micheal Agbenuzah signal both into hostilities.
The Golden City Park will witness another epic battle between CAF Champions League campaigners, Berekum Chelsea when they play host to fourth placed New Edubiase.
What makes this encounter a difficult one is the both team are tied at 35 points each in fourth place with the defending league champions Chelsea’s better goal difference placing them above the visitors.
With the presence of leading goal king Emmanuel Baffuor who has scored 18 goals so far coach Hans Van Der Plyum and his charges have a lot on their hand if they are to stop him from causing them any havoc come tomorrow.
Other matches will see Liberty Professionals welcoming Kpando Heart of Lions to the Sly Tetteh Memorial Park in Dansoman, while second-placed Obuasi AshantiGold would attempt to close the gap on Kotoko when they play as guests of Tema Youth at the Tema Stadium.
Relegation-threatened Bechem United will be hoping for a good result when they trek to the Tarkwa T&A Park to play as guests of Medeama SC, Dwarfs will host Wassaman United at the Robert Mensah Stadium, Wa All Stars will stay in Wa to host Tudu Mighty Jets, while the Agyeman Badu I Park will see action between sixth placed Aduana Stars and relegation- threatened Berekum Arsenal.
With 10 points separating both sides, Hearts have vowed to reduce the lead by 3points while the “Reds” are gunning to use the visitors as the icing to crown the capture of their 22nd league title.
The race for the title seem far from their reach of the Phobians but a win against their bitterest rivals in Kumasi tomorrow is likely to set the Hearts fans at ease.
For Hearst’s new coach, C. K Akunnor who is chasing his third straight win in the league since assuming that role, a victory would do him a lot of good and endear him into the hearts of the Phobian family, and this is exactly what he seeks to do come tomorrow as history from the last five matches in Kumasi gives him the odd.
Hearts seem to have hit their scoring form at the opportune time ,beating Wa All Stars 3-0 in last Sunday’s league game and the fans will be expecting the side to make it three wins in a row against the Porcupine Warriors, come tomorrow.
For Hearts, the history of not losing a league game in Kumasi since 2006 till date is one record they are bent on maintaining this season.
Another fact of history that the Phobians would be riding on is after defeating Wa All Stars 3-0 last season in Accra they followed it up with a 1-0 win against Kotoko 1-0 in Kumasi.
On the part of Kotoko faithful, who will be welcoming the return of Coach Maxwell Konadu to the teams’ bench after serving a two match ban, it is time to break that six-year jinx in Kumasi on route to winning their 22nd league title.
Since taking charge of Kotoko Coach Konadu holds the bragging rights over Hearts as he oversaw a 3-1 win in Accra during the Super Two clash.
Although a win for the visitors would not see them losing their hold on the league log, the Porcupine lads are bent on putting the icing on their league title aspirations with a sweet win against their nemesis Hearts and to quash the believe that Kumasi is a favourable grounds for the Phobians.
On current form one might be tempted to sway victory in favour of the host but the history of matches between both sides have proven that there is more to whatever decides matches between both sides.
One thing missing ahead of this game is the usual high euphoria that naturally surround a typical Hearts-Kotoko clash but come what may expect 90minutes of fierce pitch battle when centre referee Solomon Modey assisted by Shine Ayitey and Micheal Agbenuzah signal both into hostilities.
The Golden City Park will witness another epic battle between CAF Champions League campaigners, Berekum Chelsea when they play host to fourth placed New Edubiase.
What makes this encounter a difficult one is the both team are tied at 35 points each in fourth place with the defending league champions Chelsea’s better goal difference placing them above the visitors.
With the presence of leading goal king Emmanuel Baffuor who has scored 18 goals so far coach Hans Van Der Plyum and his charges have a lot on their hand if they are to stop him from causing them any havoc come tomorrow.
Other matches will see Liberty Professionals welcoming Kpando Heart of Lions to the Sly Tetteh Memorial Park in Dansoman, while second-placed Obuasi AshantiGold would attempt to close the gap on Kotoko when they play as guests of Tema Youth at the Tema Stadium.
Relegation-threatened Bechem United will be hoping for a good result when they trek to the Tarkwa T&A Park to play as guests of Medeama SC, Dwarfs will host Wassaman United at the Robert Mensah Stadium, Wa All Stars will stay in Wa to host Tudu Mighty Jets, while the Agyeman Badu I Park will see action between sixth placed Aduana Stars and relegation- threatened Berekum Arsenal.
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