Kotoko eye Hearts revenge in President's Cup
Accra Hearts of Oak will be without head coach Frank Nuttall when they face rivals Kumasi Asante Kotoko in the first leg of the ‘Ghana: 60 Years On’ President's Cup today at the Accra Sports Stadium.
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The Scot has already guided the Phobians to a 1-0 victory this season over the Porcupine Warriors, who were then coached by Croatian trainer Zdravko Logarusic in the league this season albeit a win secured through a controversial spot kick by Vincent Atingah's at the same venue.
However, Hearts, who will be led assistant coach Henry Lamptey Wellington, have to find their way without coach Nuttall if they are to send an advantage into the second leg of the match slated for May 28 at the Baba Yara Stadium with a GH¢50,000 cash prize at stake.
Wellington presided over his side's final training yesterday at the Legon Ajax Park in Accra with players such as skipper Augustine Abbey, tricky winger Patrick Razak, Malik Akowuah and playmaker Winful Cobbinah all in high spirits.
The Porcupine Warriors, who have been preparing for the game at the Lizzy Sports Complex in Accra, will be out for revenge.
A good start to the season has been punctuated by turbulence ever since the loss to Hearts, which sparked a six-game winless (three losses and three draws) streak in the league and cost Logarusic his job.
A coaching pair of former players Godwin Ablordey and Frimpong Manso have been unable to steady the ship in the league although the team laboured to penalty shoot-out victory to BYF in the MTN FA Cup.
Kotoko lie in fifth place on the league log — a spot below Hearts (although both teams have 20 points) — and will head into the game as underdogs on current form but they will be hopeful of kick-starting a return to form with a victory.
If the bragging rights and cash prize at stake during the game won't be enough motivation for both sets of players, the knowledge that they will be able to earn a call-up to the national team if they impress coach of the Black Stars, Kwasi Appiah, who is expected to be in attendance, is sure to.
The tie, which starts at 3.00pm, will be preceded by curtain-raisers involving retired players of Hearts and Kotoko as well as the national Physically Challenged team, Black Giants, who have been in camping at the Theodosia Okoh Stadium.
The game which is being used to commemorate Ghana's 60th-anniversary celebrations is also expected to be watched by the President, Nana Addo-Dankwa Akufo-Addo.