President’s Cup: Will it be Kotoko or Hearts?
Kumasi Asante Kotoko are bent on avoiding a third straight loss to Accra Hearts of Oak this term when they lock horns in this year's UBA-sponsored President's Cup at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi on Sunday.
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Kotoko lost 0-1 in the Premier League to Hearts before being thrashed 3-1 by the Phobians in the first leg of a Ghana@60 anniversary game last April.
The Porcupine Warriors will hope playing at a favourite ground in Kumasi could propel them to victory over their arch rivals, with a lot of supporters expected to throng the Baba Yara Stadium in their favour.
Players of the two greatest clubs in the history of the country will have the opportunity to showcase their talent in front of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as the competition is played annually to honour the President of the day.
Coach Steven Pollack of Kotoko must improve his squad with the likes of skipper Amos Frimpong, Emmanuel Gyamfi, Ashitey Ollenu and Yakubu Mohammed to step up their game if they are to carry the day against a consistent Hearts side.
The Phobians on the other hand must be effective and resillient in order to add a third consecutive win against their rivals and coach Frank Nuttall faces a tough task to get players such as Vincent Atinga, Kwame Kizito, skipper Thomas Abbey, Malik Akowuah and Cosmos Dauda fit for the game.
Meanwhile, the Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA) has revealed that Premier League giants, Accra Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante Kotoko, will both receive GH¢50,000 for squaring up in this year's President's Cup at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.
According to the chairman of GHALCA, Kudjoe Fianoo, the winner of the day will take home an additional GH¢10,000 aside the appearance fees.
In an interview with The Mirror, Fianoo said: "The two participating clubs will receive GH¢50,000 each for participating in the compettion on Sunday. Aside that the winner on the day will take home an additional GH¢10,000."