Ghana premier League: Hearts tackles Kotoko in El Clasico

The lenses will focus on the national Stadium in Accra this Sunday, as Hearts of Oak square bitterest rivals Asante Kotoko in the biggest game of the second halve of the Premiership.

Matches between the two most successful clubs in Ghana football is enough to halt all activities in and around  the location of the game, and Sunday’s meeting will be no exception.

Usually, the clash is a must-watch for every football lover and often boosts economic activities at the match venue. This time, Accra is the winner as every corner of the 40,000-capacity Accra Sports Stadium is expected to be filled with fans either in the red-yellow-blue colours of the host or the red and white of the visitors.

The Week 24 top-liner is the 51st meeting between the two sides hosted by the Phobians. Of the previous meetings since 1958, Hearts have won 15-times, Asante Kotoko 14-times with 21 games failing to produce a winner.

As usual, expectations are high with Hearts searching for their first win at the favourite grounds since the 2009/2010 season, to boost the climb up the league log.

At the moment, the Phobians appear shades off their bitterest rivals thanks to the outing in their last eight matches, where they have lost just once coupled with their impressive home record.

Leading marksman Mahatma Otoo is in the form of his life, whilst the likes of Moro Abubakar, Kofi Abanga and new recruits, Emmanuel Ansong and Sulley Nuru have the capability to make Kotoko’s trip to the capital one to forget soon.

The Porcupine Warriors have their own problems and inconsistency has dented their input in recent times. They have been off-colour and have yet to come out of their painful exit from the CAF Champions League, where they were dumped out by Algerian minnows JSM Bejaia at the second round.

Pressure has increasingly been growing at the doorstep of coach Mas-Ud ‘Didi’ Dramani, who can not afford any slip especially in a game which the outcome means critical to his continued stay at the helm. Just a point shy of joint leaders, Medeama and Berekum Chelsea, the Porcupine Warriors need the points badly in their kitty to remain on course for a successful defence of the diadem.

At the Tarkwa & Abosso Park, Medeama will battle it out with Liberty Professionals whilst Berekum Chelsea trek Bekwai as guests of Edubiase.

Struggling Berekum Arsenals will be hoping for the maximum points against Amidaus Professionals at the Golden City Park to heighten their survival hopes, whilst Aduana Stars and AshantiGold sort things in Dormaa.

At the Baba Yara Stadium, King Faisal are tipped to snatch the maximum points at the expense of visiting Heart of Lions just as Dwarfs against All Stars at the Robert Mensah Stadium, Cape Coast.

On Saturday, Tema Youth are favoured to add to the misery of Real Tamale United by sinking them at the Tema Park.

Source: GNA