We’ll beat Hearts again — Kotoko captain
Kumasi Asante Kotoko are aiming to repeat the 3-1 thrashing of their arch-rivals, Accra Hearts of Oak, in the MTN FA Cup final last October when the two giants battle in a Week 10 Premier League super clash at the Baba Yara Stadium on Sunday.
Incidentally, the architect of that resounding victory, striker Saddick Adams, has returned from injury and has began training, giving room to suspicion that he is likely to lead the attack of the Porcupine Warriors in his first game this season.
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Yesterday, Kotoko skipper, Amos Frimpong, told the Graphic Sports that they were looking forward to carrying their last victory over Wa All Stars into Sunday’s game and move heaven and earth to add to the misery of the Phobians, who have been in shambolic form this season.
“We want to take our victory over Wa All Stars into this very game and I am confident that we will beat Hearts again. Coach Paa Kwesi Fabin has told us to relax and play the game as a normal league game, but beat them and take our three points and that’s exactly what we are going to do.
“We may not have things working according to plan so far this season, but we are confident that we shall beat Hearts of Oak at the end of the day and fortunately, Saddick Adams has started training with us so if the technical team approve of his output, then he will play on Sunday,” Frimpong said yesterday.
However, in a sharp rebuttal, Winful Kwaku Cobbina, the midfield supremo of Hearts, called the bluff of the Porcupine Warriors, promising to pay them in their own coin in their own backyard.
Choking with laughter at Frimpong’s pronouncement, the reigning MTN FA Cup Most Valuable Player said: “We always beat them in Kumasi. Just recently we defeated them in the GHALCA G8 semi-final in Kumasi, so what is he talking about?
“They beat us in Tamale but Tamale is not Kumasi so he should revise his notes and come again. Sunday is our day and we are working towards winning this game at all cost,” Cobbina assured.
Both Kotoko and Hearts have experienced a topsy-turvy season so far, with some football connoisseurs tagging them as birds of the same feathers flocking together, making Sunday’s clash a close contest.
However, Kotoko appear favourites in Sunday’s game, considering their recent 2-0 thumping of Wa All Stars away, while Hearts struggled to pick a point against Bechem United.
Kotoko, whose trainer, Fabin, is fully in charge has asked his charges to be calm in approaching the game in order to secure the needed result, while his Hearts counterpart, Henry Wellington, is still absent from the bench, leaving a huge responsibility on the tiny shoulders of his assistant, Edward Odoom.
Today at the Nana Agyeman Badu Park at Dormaa-Ahenkro, Aduana Stars, seeking to return to winning ways after they were beaten 0-2 by Dreams FC last Monday, will host 10th-placed Berekum Chelsea in a regional derby.
With the exception of the Kotoko versus Hearts cracker which will be played on Sunday, the rest of the matches will be played tomorrow, with Karela United travelling to the Nana Gyeabuor Park to face Bechem United.
In other matches, Elmina Sharks will welcome Techiman Eleven Wonders to the Nduom Stadium, International Allies will host Ebusua Dwarfs at Tema, Medeama engage Ashantigold at Tarkwa, WAFA play Dreams FC at Sogakope while struggling Liberty Professionals lock horns with bottom-placed Wa All Stars at the Carl Reindorf Park, Dansoman.