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Hearts of Oak coach Samuel Boadu believes Kotoko deserve to be on the top of the league table after showing glimpses of good performance in the first round of the Ghana Premier League.

The Phobians played a 0-0 draw with the Porcupine Warriors in an outstanding Ghana Premier League encounter at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday.

Both sides created numerous scoring opportunities in the game but were unable to utilize their chances.

Speaking after the game, Samuel Boadu indicated there is no doubt about Kotoko being on the top of the table having been outstanding so far in the season.

“The players played very well, the chances that we got, its quiet unfortunate we couldn’t score but there is a hope” he said.

“Kotoko is a good side, no doubt about that because they are on top of the table after first round. They are a good side but we are struggling but we believe that the day is still young”

Asked if there is enough room for Hearts to go all the way and defend the title, he said, “Sure, all the clubs are pushing but we have to push harder to reach our destination”

“We have to understand ourselves and be united. if we are able to do that we can go on”

The Super Clash between Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko on Sunday afternoon has ended in a goalless stalemate.

Today at the Accra Sports Stadium, the Phobians locked horns with the Porcupine Warriors to clear the only remaining outstanding match in the first round of the Ghanaian top-flight league campaign.

On the matchday, Hearts of Oak had a bright start to the match with the team’s counter-attacking play causing all kinds of trouble for the Porcupines and they should have taken an early lead when Daniel Barnieh set up Kwadjo Obeng Jnr, whose strike hit the post.

Minutes later Barnieh had an opportunity to break the deadlock but squandered the chance as Kotoko kissed their luck in the first half hour of the game.

Red-hot Kotoko forward Franck Etouga came close for the Porcupines in the 36th minute but his effort did not trouble Richard Attah.

Asante Kotoko returned from the break the more adventurous with Etouga and Richard Lamptey getting great opportunities and keeping Hearts goalie Richard Attah busy.

Sulley Muntari, who was impressive in the first half had to be replaced in the early minutes of the second half by Fredrick Ansah Botwe.

The Phobians started to grow into the game once again but could not just find the back of the net, and later on coach Samuel Boadu brought on leading scorer Kofi Kordzi for Barnieh.

The powerful forward did not get enough time to make an impact as the two team shared the spoils in Accra.

Courtesy of the result, Asante Kotoko have finished the first round of the Ghana Premier League season at the top of the table with 37 points.

Bechem United, Aduana Stars, and Great Olympics complete the top four with Hearts of Oak lying 8th on the standings of the division.

Hearts of Oak coach Samuel Boadu has named his starting XI to face Asante Kotoko in the Super Clash.

The Phobians are hosting the Porcupines at the Accra Sports Stadium this afternoon in a Premier League matchweek 7 outstanding fixture.

Boadu has named Sulley Muntari in his starting lineup with Dennis Korsah also making his Super Clash derby.

Here’s how Hearts will lineup:

Richard Attah (GK), Fatawu Mohammed (C), Dennis Korsah, Robert Addo, Mohammed Alhassan, Aziz Nurudeen, Salim Adams, Sulley Muntari, Gladson Awako, Afriyie Barnieh, Kwadwo Obeng Jnr.

Subs: Richmond Ayi, Ansah Botchway, William Dankyi, Abu Ushau, Larry Sumaila, James Sewornu, Enoch Esubonteng, Kodi Kordzi, Isaac Mensah

Asante Kotoko will renew their rivarly with Hearts of Oak at the Accra Sports Stadium this afternoon in an outstanding Premier League matchweek 7 fixture.

Coach Prosper Narteh has, however, named his men to do the battle against the Accra-based lads.

Danlad Ibrahim continues in post with Augustine Agyapong and Imoro Ibrahim starting from the right and left side of defense respectively.

Impressive Yusif Mubarik has been given the nod once more to partner with captain Abdul Ganiyu in the heart of defense.

Sherif Mohammed will partner Mudasiru Salifu who missed the club’s game against Accra Lions with with Richmond Lamptey playing ahead of them.

The front three will have Dickson Afoakwa and Georges Mfegue operating from the right and left side of the attack respectively with Mbella Etouga leading the lines.

Asante Kotoko line up;

Ibrahim Danlad (GK), Augustine Agyapong, Imoro Ibrahim, Mubarik Yussif, Abdul Ganiyu (C), Sheriff Mohammed, Mudasiru Salifu, Franck Mbella Etouga, Richmond Lamptey, Dickson Afoakwa, Georges Mfegue.

Subs: Kwame Baah, Christopher Nettey, Patrick Asmah, Maxwell Agyemang, Richard Boadu, Samuel Boateng, Isaac Oppong, Stephen Amankona, Justice Blay.

Asante Kotoko will play as guests to arch-rivals Hearts of Oak at the Accra Sports Stadium this afternoon in the Ghana Premier League matchweek 7 outstanding fixture.

The biggest game on the Ghanaian soil always come along with magnificent scenes with supporters filling the stadium to the brim with today’s game having 100% capacity for the first time since 2020.

The Porcupines are in some phenomenal form and would want to build on their last game in the league where they inflicted 3-1 defeat to Accra Lions at the Baba Yara Stadium.

The last time the two teams met at the Accra Sports Stadium, it ended in a 1-0 victory for Hearts of Oak in which the Phobians continued to win the 2020/2021 Premier League season.

Isaac Oppong who was in some fine form before his injury has recovered and will start from the bench. Mudasiru Salifu who missed the last game against Accra Lions will lead the midfield in the super clash.

Here, We look at how Prosper Narteh Ogum could set his side up for the blockbuster contest in a 4-1-2-3, a slightly defensive version of 4-3-3 formation.

Kotoko Possible Line Up: Danlad Ibrahim (GK), Augustine Agyapong, Imoro Ibrahim, Ismail Abdul-Ganiyu (C), Yusif Mubarik, Sheriff Mohammed, Dickson Afoakwa, Mudasiru Salifu, Mbella Etouga, Richmond Lamptey, Georges Mfegue.

Hearts of Oak will on Sunday, February 20, 2022, take on Asante Kotoko in the Ghana Premier League.

The titanic meeting between the two most glamourous clubs in the Ghanaian top-flight league is a matchday seven game that has been outstanding since last year.

This weekend, the Ghana FA has paved the way for the match to be cleared before the second round of the 2021/22 Ghana Premier League season commences.

With that mind, here’s how they could line up today in a 4-4-2 formation.

Goalkeeper

Richard Attah will start. End of story. This is perhaps the one position which remains undisputed in a crowded, yet talented squad. Samuel Boadu has clearly emphasized clean sheets and Attah is a vital cog in that plan. Be prepared to see another confident display from Attah against the Porcupines.

Defence

Mohammed Alhassan is expected to line up with Robert Addo Sowah in the centre-back role with captain Fataw Mohammed and Dennis Korsah expecting to feature as the full-backs.

Midfield

Ansah Botchway is expected to provide experience in midfield and will sit in front of the back four with Gladson Awako and Sulley Muntari and Afriyie Barnieh playing ahead of him.

Attack

Kwadwo Obeng Junior could line up in attack with Kofi Kordzi.

Predicted Hearts of Oak line up:

Richard Attah (GK), Fatawu Mohammed (C), Dennis Korsah, Mohammed Alhassan, Robert Addo, Ansah Botchway, Afriyie Barnieh, Gladson Awako, Kofi Kordzi, Gladson Awako, Obeng Junior.

Expectations of Asante Kotoko’s trip to Ghana’s capital are high when they face defending champions Hearts of Oak on Sunday.

There is, however, a possibility that today’s fixture might be a more tactical affair between the two sides. It is unlikely that the game will not be aesthetically pleasing; given the nature of the two clubs, but it is a tie that could be decided on fine margins.

With that in mind, here are three key battles that could decide this afternoon’s clash.

Mohammed Alhassan v Georges Mfegue

A rock at the heart of Hearts’ defence, Mohammed Alhassan is one of the most underrated players in the division. His defensive abilities will come under the spotlight on Sunday and he will have the big matter of keeping Kotoko’s centre forward Georges Mfegue quiet.

Mfegue may not reach the goal-scoring heights of compatriot Frank Etouga or get the plaudits Mudasiru Salifu gets, but the tricky forward offers so much to the Kotoko attack, and his work-rate and ability to carry the ball forward is commendable.

He is often seen drifting off defenders to receive the ball, but that allows space for Etouga and Lamptey to push forward, and that is certainly something Alhassan has to be mindful of.

Nurudeen Abdul Aziz v Mohammed Sheriff

To stand a chance of beating Kotoko, a team must prevent them from enjoying complete control of the ball in midfield.

Sheriff is crucial to Kotoko’s game plan. Kotoko’s Mr. Versatile repeatedly recycles possession and is often the man leading his side’s press, pursuing his opponents relentlessly until the ball is back at his feet.

It will be Nurudeen Abdul Aziz’s job to stop Sheriff dominating the midfield areas. It is imperative that the former Vision FC man consistently retains possession and ensures that Sheriff does not have the time and space to feed his more offensive teammates.
What happens in midfield could, ultimately, be what decides the tie.

Franck Etouga v Robert Addo Sowah

Boisterous, battling, and gifted with a benevolent finishing, Etouga can show these qualities on his day and will relish reminding Hearts of his talent.

The man who will no doubt be in charge of shackling the hitman this time around, Robert Addo Sowah has reportedly brought calm and stability to a previous erratic defence since the start of the season but one could argue that the centre-back has yet to show signs of his value when up against a significant test.

Two intelligent players, the most interesting aspect of this will be to see who comes out top of the thrilling aerial duels that will no doubt be sprinkled throughout the match.

Should Addo and his centre-back pair survive the test of the rampaging Frank Etouga and Georges Mfegue, than praise should be unremitting.

Accra Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko renew their rivalry later today, with the two most successful Ghanaian clubs meeting in the Premier League at Accra Sports stadium. It’s the biggest fixture in the Ghanaian top flight.

The Match Day 7 fixture which was postponed due to Hearts of Oak’s participation in the CAF Inter Club competition will now be played on Sunday.

Last season, the two teams shared the spoils in the first round before Daniel Afriyie Barnieh’s strike gave the Phobians the three points in the second round – a win that won them the title.

The defending champions trail their arch rivals by 12 points and sit 7 places below their bitterest rivals in the League log. With four wins, two draws and three defeats in their last nine Premier League matches, Hearts of Oak must play above themselves to avoid any kind of setback against Asante Kotoko at the Accra Sports stadium having lost 2-1 to the Porcupine Warriors in January 2020.

Coach Samuel Boadu is heading into his second game against Asante Kotoko as Hearts of Oak coach having taking over the reins of the Club in March 2021. The purchase of Sulley Muntari has changed the feeling in the locker room but he has yet to inspire the team to victory in two appearances.

The former Inter Milan man came on as a second half substitute against Great Olympics and played for about 75 minutes against Real Tamale United but none of those games ended in a win as Hearts lost to Olympics and drew goalless with RTU. Another seasoned campaigner who has joined the Phobians is former captain of Ebusua Dwarfs Dennis Korsah – who is a direct replacement for Raddy Ovouka – now with USL Championship club New Mexico United.

The Phobians have lost one (Great Olympics), drawn one (Bechem United) and won four (Accra Lions, Berekum Chelsea, Eleven Wonders and King Faisal) in their last six home matches in Accra.

Even though goals have been hard to come by – Samuel Boadu must find them right balance upfront with the likes of Kofi Kordzie (6 goals), Daniel Afriyie Barnieh and Kojo Obeng Jnr., Isaac Mensah and Benjamin Yorke all available for selection.

Hearts of Oak’s top scorer Kofi Kordzie has not scored since January 16 when his brace inspired the Phobians to a 4-1 win against Eleven Wonders Accra.

Leaders Asante Kotoko bounced back to winning ways on following a 3-1 win against Accra Lions at the Baba Yara Sports stadium on Saturday.

The Porcupine Warriors went into the game on the back of a 2-1 loss to bottom placed Elmina Sharks – their second defeat of the season as they lead the table with 33 points – 6 points richer than second placed Bechem United and 14 points.

Imoro Ibrahim, Ismael Ganiyu, Mudasiru Salifu and striker Etouga Mbella have peaked at the right time and would be crucial to their success in Sunday’s encounter. Mbella has scored in back to back matches – a brace against Great Olympics and a hat –trick against Accra Lions to take his season tally to 11 goals in 14 matches – making him the leading scorer in the League.

The defeat to Elmina Sharks ended Asante Kotoko’s eight match winning run bringing to an end their longest winning run in two seasons.

Coach Dr. Prosper Narteh Ogum has not played against Hearts of Oak since he took over as Coach of the Porcupine Warriors and a positive outcome of the encounter will further deepen the cult figure he’s building at the club.

Asante Kotoko have won three (against Bibiani Gold Stars, Legon Cities and Aduana FC), drawn two (against Karela United and Berekum Chelsea) and lost one ( Elmina Sharks) in their last six matches on the road –scoring four and conceding three in the process.

The match which is scheduled for 3pm kick off at the Accra Sports stadium on Sunday, February 20, 2022 will broadcast live on StarTimes Adepa Chanel 247.