Preview: Accra Hearts Of Oak Vs Kumasi Asante Kotoko 

There’s no gainsaying that Accra Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante Kotoko command the largest following in Ghana football, which usually translates into mammoth attendance anytime the two teams play.

There was the fear that the delay in the 2015/16 league season would be a huge dent in the quality of the league, but 9 games on, it’s been all excitement; all thanks to the 16 teams in the Ghana Premier League (GPL).

Whoever thought Wa All Stars would be the league leaders after 9 games, even after they spent a paltry GHC100,000 compared to the about GHC850,000 spent by Asante Kotoko in player signings? Whoever thought the diminutive Liberty Professionals forward Latif Blessing would be the top scorer with 7 goals after 9 games? 

Whoever thought defending league champions AshantiGold SC would be 10th placed with 10points in 9 games?

Soon, the Rainbow Club is coming up against the Porcupine Warriors in match day 10 of the GPL, and there are pointers to indicate that this game is the biggest so far in the season. Whoeverwins, undoubtedly would have the bragging rights over the other.

The influence of the two tacticians Kenichi Yatsuhashi (Hearts) and Michael Osei (Kotoko) would be huge and a win by either of them will very much endear them to the club’s following. 

Kenichi has had bust ups with the Management of the phobians but that has still not stopped him from delivering the goods immersed with a Japanese delicacy SUSHI, a so-called football philosophy employed by the Japenese-American coach. 

Sushi is a food preparation originating from Japan, consisting of cooked vinegared rice combined with other ingredients such as raw seafood, vegetables and sometimes tropical fruits. 

Kotoko comes from an area known for one food – Fufu, a staple food with deep roots in Ghana's history and common in many countries of West Africa and the Caribbean. It is often made with cassava flour. It will be interesting to see how Fufu football rivals Sushi on May 2.

Michael Osei took over from “step aside” coach David Duncan and one can safely say he is in a familiar territory. Osei played for Kotoko in the late 80s before leaving for Germany where he joined Eintracht Frankfurt and Mainz 05.

Clearly Hearts of Oak are favourites in this tie, having garnered 18 points in 9 games, scoring 13 goals and conceding 8. Asante Kotoko how however struggled, amassing 11 points in 9 matches, scored 7 goals and conceded 9. 

However, matches between the two sides do not take into account form guide. The side with the desire to win and the mental fortitude most times carry the day. 

On May 2 at the Accra Sports Stadium, the nation will see a blockbuster football artistry between the rainbow boys and the red army. 

HEARTS OF OAK VS ASANTE KOTOKO ALL TIME STATISTICS BELOW

LEAGUE MEETINGS

Total Meetings - 102
Hearts wins - 34
Kotoko wins - 32
Draws - 36


Total Meetings in Accra - 53
Hearts wins - 15
Kotoko wins - 15
Draws - 23

Total Meetings in Kumasi - 49
Hearts wins - 19
Kotoko wins - 17
Draws - 13

From the professional league era in 1993/94,t he two sides have met 43 times in the league:
Total Meetings - 43
Hearts wins - 17
Kotoko wins - 9
Draws - 17
Hearts (goals scored) 47 goals
Kotoko (goals scored) 38 goals

HEAD TO HEAD:
1. 1993 / 1994:
Hearts 0-0 Kotoko
Kotoko 0-0 Hearts

2. 1994 / 1995:
Hearts 2-1 Kotoko
Kotoko 3-1 Hearts

3. 1995 / 1996:
Kotoko 2-1 Hearts
Hearts 3-3 Kotoko

4. 1996 / 1997:
Kotoko 1-2 Hearts
Hearts 1-1 Kotoko

5. 1997 / 1998:
Hearts 1-1 Kotoko
Kotoko 2-2 Hearts

6. 1998 / 1999:
Kotoko 0-1 Hearts
Hearts 2-0 Kotoko

7. 2000:
Hearts 4-0 Kotoko
Kotoko 1-1 Hearts

8. 2001:
Hearts 2-1 Kotoko
Kotoko 2-0 Hearts

9. 2002:
Kotoko 1-1 Hearts
Hearts 3-0 Kotoko

10. 2003:
Hearts 0-0 Kotoko
Kotoko 1-1 Hearts

11. 2004 (Over All Decider Between Zone A and Zone
B:
Hearts 1-0 Kotoko

12. 2005:
Kotoko 3-1 Hearts
Hearts 1-1 Kotoko

13. 2006 / 2007:
Kotoko 0-1 Hearts
Hearts 3-1 Kotoko

14. 2007 / 2008:
Hearts 0-0 Kotoko
Kotoko 3-3 Hearts

15. 2008 / 2009:
Kotoko 1-2 Hearts
Hearts 0-1 Kotoko

16. 2009 / 2010:
Hearts 1-0 Kotoko
Kotoko 0-1 Hearts


17. 2010 / 2011:
Kotoko 0-1 Hearts
Hearts 0-2 Kotoko

18. 2011 / 2012:
Hearts 0-0 Kotoko
Kotoko 2-1 Hearts

19. 2012 / 2013:
Hearts 0-0 Kotoko
Kotoko 1-1 Hearts

20. 2013 / 2014:
Hearts 0-1 Kotoko
Kotoko 0-0 Hearts

21. 2014 / 2015:
Kotoko 0-1 Hearts
Hearts 1-2 Kotoko

22. 2015 / 2016:
Hearts vrs Kotoko
Kotoko vrs Hearts

Keep tuned in to Radio Ghana and all GBC affiliate Radio Stations for Live, Captivating and Unadulterated Commentary on the Super 2 clash.
Greater Accra – Uniiq Fm 95.7 /ObonuFm 96.5
Central - Radio Central 91.3/92.5
Western - Twin-City Radio 94.7/88.1
Eastern - Sunrise FM 106.7/ 102.1
Ashanti - Garden City Radio 92.1
BrongAhafo - Radio BAR 93.5
Northern - Savannah Radio 91.2
Upper West - Radio Upper West 90.1
Upper East - URA Radio 89.5
Volta - Volta Star FM 91.5


Emmanuel Adu-Gyamfi