Clash of the titans

In their long history, battles involving Ghana’s most institutional football rivals, Kumasi Asante Kotoko and Accra Hearts of Oak, have been nourished by sheer pride, but Sunday will be one of those moments in their almost 60-year rivalry when victory will define the aspirations of the two sides.

So crucial is victory for the two sides that the Porcupine Warriors are prepared to sacrifice the head of their coach, Mas-Ud Didi Dramani, if victory eludes them on Sunday. The young coach has had his head on the guillotine ready to be chopped off by a section of the Kotoko establishment since their ill-fated Champions League campaign and on the eve of Sunday’s battle, the management of Kotoko appear to have caved in to pressure when it told Dramani that his tenure would be tied to the showdown with Hearts.

The Porcupine Warriors are in strong contention for this year’s Glo Premier League title and a defeat at this stage could undermine their quest for a successful defence, particularly when league leaders, Medeama SC, who are separated from them by just a point, appear well positioned to clinch the three points at stake in their home game with Liberty Professionals to widen the gap at the top.

But the pressure on Dramani is not exactly the same as his counterpart on the Phobian bench, Coach David Duncan. However, the former Ashgold coach needs victory badly to keep buoyant their campaign to escape relegation. The Phobians have acquitted themselves well in that regard, particularly in this second round which has seen a revived Hearts side that has lost just one match out of eight.

The Phobians have often prevailed in almost all their crucial games against Kotoko, but the Oseikrom boys have dominated recent games at the Accra Sports Stadium and on Sunday they will certainly be inspired by that proud past despite the uncertaintly over the availability of lead striker Kofi Nti Boakye, who is still recuperating from injuries he sustained during an accident he was involved in recently. But in terms of sheer talent Kotoko have Joesph Ochaya, Seidu Bancy and Michael Helegbe to count on their quest for victory.

But the Phobians have the cutting edge of Mahatma Otoo, the man who carries the hopes of the Phobians, and his efforts are expected to be complemented by Kofi Abanga, Stephen Tetteh and defensive stalwarts, Nuru Sulley and Owusu Bempah.

In other league matches this weekend, Aduana Stars host Ashgold at Dormaa-Ahenkro, King Faisal play Heart of Lions at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, Berekum Arsenal face Amidaus Professionals at the Golden City Park, while New Edubiase United host Berekum Chelsea at the Gyamfi Park at Bekwai, with Ebusua Dwarfs playing Wa All Stars in Cape Coast.

Preview: Andy Quao/Graphic Sports