Obuasi hosts MTN FA Cup semis

Accra Hearts of Oak will be out to end a six-year wait for the MTN FA Cup since its re-introduction in 2011 when they clash with Wa All Stars in a dicey semi-final encounter at the Obuasi Len Clay Stadium on Sunday. Hearts top the FA Cup trophy chart with 10 wins but have failed to make any significant impact in the competition lately.
Dubbed ‘Super Sunday’, the Obuasi double header promises to showcase the best of performances on the local front, especially with the presence of Ghana’s two most glamorous clubs - Hearts and Kotoko.

Kotoko, who follow their arch rivals Hearts closely on the honours list with eight titles, are chasing their ninth FA Cup silverware.

The two giants, together with two-time champions, Medeama SC, and defending Premier League champions, Wa All Stars, who are eyeing their first knockout trophy, are set to take centre stage to battle fiercely for a place in the final slated for the Tamale Stadium on October 29.

Coach Frank Nuttall of Hearts will be boosted by his hit squad, comprising Vincent Atinga, Thomas Abbey, Winful Cobbinah, Patrick Razak and Kwame Kizito, who shone brightly at the just-ended West Africa Football Union (WAFU) Cup tournament in Cape Coast.

The Hearts-All Stars duel will open the day’s programme at 3p.m. before Asante Kotoko and Medeama re-enact their 2015 final at Essipon in the second semi-final encounter at 6p.m.

Victories for the two greatest clubs in the country’s history — Hearts and Kotoko — will set them on a collision course in the much-awaited grand final.

Meanwhile, the FA Cup Committee (FACC) has announced that each of the four semi-finalists will receive GH¢7,000 participation fee, in addition to GH¢ 1,000 MTN airtime.