Hearts, Kotoko in tough clash
Kumasi Asante kotoko will be aiming at a victory over arch-rivals Accra Hearts of Oak when the two sides clash tomorrow in the most anticipated fixture of the Ghana Premier League, with victory likely to move the Porcupine warriors to the top spot on the league log for the first time this season.
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Hearts, who lost the home game last season after a howler by goalkeeper Abdoulaye Soulama gifted Kotoko a 1-0 victory, have been inconsistent this season and badly need a win to restore their self-confidence, as well as appease their fans after a disappointing 2-1 defeat over Tema Youth in midweek.
Second-placed Kotoko, who share the same points with league leaders Aduana Stars, are yet to lose this season and their captain, Amos Frimpong, says the Porcupine Warriors are determined to inflict pain on the Phobians again in Accra, a threat Frank Nuttall’s lads cannot ignore.
Hearts’ new Scottish coach Nuttall must psyche up his players after their loss in Tema to focus on tomorrow’s big clash whose outcome would affect the team’s title chase and also provide them a psychological boost.
Tomorrow’s match will see Nuttall falling on in-form players such as Inusah Musah, Thomas Abbey, Patrick Razak and Paul Acquah to put the brakes on Kotoko captain Amos Frimpong and teammates such as Yakubu Mohammed, Emmanuel Gyamfi and Ashitey Ollenu who have been at the heart of the Oseikorm lads’ unbeaten run so far.
Aduana will seek to return to winning ways following their midweek draw with Medeama, but they face a daunting task in Cape Coast where the league leaders play as guests of Ebusua Dwarfs who are unbeaten at home.
Despite having an unbeaten run this season, Aduana's in-form skipper Godfred Saka and his teammates risk losing the top spot to Kotoko if they falter in Cape Coast.
At the Carl Reindorf Park, Dansoman-based Liberty Professionals play host to defending champions Wa All Stars, while struggling Accra Great Olympics face a difficult trip to the Tarkwa T&A Park to engage 13th-placed Medeama SC who are seeking to end their poor start to the season.
In other matches, Bechem United will travel to Tamale to play Bolga All Stars at the Utrecht Academy Park, Elmina Sharks play host to Ashantigold, Inter Allies welcome Tema Youth to the El Wak Stadium in Accra while fourth-placed Chelsea visit the Red Bull Arena at Sogakope to play 10th-placed WAFA who are unbeaten at home.