Hearts, Kotoko battle for President’s Cup, GH¢50,000 

There will be a whopping GH¢50,000 cash prize at stake for the winner when bitter rivals Accra Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante clash for the Ghana@60 President's Cup in May.

According to the organisers, the latest instalment of the longstanding rivalry between Ghana's most successful clubs will be held over two legs, on May 1 and May 28 at the Accra Sports Stadium and Kumasi Sports Stadium respectively.

Initially, Vivo Energy Ghana, distributors and marketers of Shell petroleum products had donated GH¢50,000 each as appearance fees for the clubs but the Chairman of the Ghana@60 Planning Committee, Ken Amankwah, upped the ante by placing at stake a GH¢50,000 cash prize for the aggregate winner over the two legs. 

This brings to GH¢100,000 the total amount the winning team of the exhibition match will take home.

According to Mr Amankwah, the cash prize and the a glittering trophy will serve as extra motivation for the two teams to give their best during the games.

"This is our diamond jubilee, so we have accepted this grand fixture to celebrate our diamond jubilee. I expect you to do everything to make sure that the match is competitive and exciting," Mr Amankwah said yesterday at the launch of the Ghana@60 President's Cup in Accra.

The main tie for the day involving Hearts and Kotoko, scheduled for 3.00pm will be preceded by curtain-raisers involving retired players of Hearts taking on their counterparts from Kotoko while members of the physically challenged national team, Black Giants, will feature in another match.

Michael Nkansah, the Head of Communication of the National Circles Council (Kotoko's support wing) assured fans of the Porcupine Warriors that the team had already begun preparations for the clash and were bent on avenging a controversial 1-0 loss to Hearts in the ongoing Ghana Premier League season.

His counterpart from Hearts, Elvis Amartey, was confident that the Phobians would emerge victorious, recalling that Hearts had always triumphed over Kotoko especially when trophies were at stake.

Incoming coach of the Black Stars and former Kotoko stalwart, Kwasi Appiah, entreated all soccer fans to throng the match venue to watch his former club carry the day.

"It's always nice to have such an occasion when it involves Hearts and Kotoko. Even though people say we are rivals, but for me, off the pitch, we are very, very close... the most important thing is to have a great competition, a competitive game on the pitch," he said.

"And for me, this is a match all Ghanaians are going to celebrate and I believe every Ghanaian will come out there in their full support, and make the occasion well attended. 

"I am 100 per cent sure it's not going to be an easy game for my team Kotoko, but we're going to give them a very tough game and show them that we are the real Porcupines. I entreat everyone to come with their full support and I'm sure it will be fun to watch," Appiah added.

The Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, Pius Enam Hadzide, advised fans of both teams to use the game as an opportunity to recall and display some of the lessons learnt from the May 9 disaster.

Mr Laud Commey, the Chairperson of the Ghana@60 Events Sub-Committee, disclosed that it was likely that the President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his vice, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, would be in attendance at both games.