Sunday marks the first time in the history of the Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA) Top 4 that the final will be decided over two legs, with Accra Hearts of Oak battling Ashantigold in the second leg match at the Accra Stadium.
The two sides played to a pulsating 1-1 draw in the first leg at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi last Sunday, necessitating a reverse fixture in the nation’s premier stadium to determine which side eventually claims the season-opening tournament and bragging rights.
Ashantigold were tipped to win the Top 4 trophy in Kumasi, having defeated reigning Premier League champions and FA Cup holders, Kumasi Asante Kotoko, 1-0 in either legs in Kumasi and Obuasi, while the Phobians played over three legs before qualifying on a 3-2 aggregate victory over Kpando Heart of Lions.
The Kpando lads won the first clash 1-0 but Hearts bounced back with a 1-0 win before claiming a 2-1 victory in the deciding third clash.
With Hearts returning to base to play in front of home fans, Coach Herbert Addo’s lads will be expected to capitalise on their home advantage to put on a show and win the trophy at the expense of the Soccer Miners, who have been impressive in the competition so far.
Coach Addo will depend such players as Owusu Bempah, Winful Cobbinah, Emmanuel Hayford, Robin Gnagne and Kwame Kizito, whose equaliser denied Ashgold victory in Kumasi, to subdue the stubborn Miners.
On the other hand, Ashantigold coach, Bashir Hayford will not be short of talents in his quest to claim the Top 4 title. He is expected to build his side around Emmanuel Baffour, Joshua Tijani, Joseph Ato Bissah, Augustine Sefa and Lawrence Lartey, who are all determined to return to their Obuasi base with the trophy..
