FootyDream

Hearts of Oak face Asante Kotoko in the biggest encounter of matchday 31 of the 2020/21 Ghana Premier League in Accra on Sunday.

As the two Ghana Premier League giants renew their fabled rivalry, footy.ghpush.com/ takes on the task of choosing a combined XI from both squads based on performances this season in a 4-3-3 formation.

Razak Abalora GK – Asante Kotoko

Razak Abalora has been impressive for the Porcupine Warriors this campaign despite a few flaws since taking the number spot. He has been able to organise his back very well, conceding fewer goals. Abalora is an early contender for the goalkeeper of the season so far.

Ismail Abdul Ganiyu – Asante Kotoko

Ganiyu has impressed so well and his great performance in the season secured him a Black Stars call-up. He has been solid at the back for Kotoko, scoring goals as well as a defender.

Robert Addo Sowah – Hearts Of Oak

Sowah has been reliable in defence this season and his performances in the past games have been very impressive. He has established himself as one of the best centre-backs in the league. His aerial ability, speed and reading of the game is superb and his presence at the back of the Phobians has been profitable.

Raddy Ovouka – Hearts Of Oak

The marauding full-back has been a revelation so far this season. His impressive performance in the league has been securing him national team call-ups. The Congolese recovery pace is remarkable and very strong on the ball. He surges forward to help the Hearts’ frontline.

Christopher Nettey – Asante Kotoko

Nettey has been a pillar at the back for the Porcupine Warriors featuring in most of the games so far for the Reds. Despite a stern competition from youngster Samuel Frimpong, Nettey has been solid for Kotoko with his surging runs on the flanks although a bit slow when defending. He has so far netted once and always impressive despite the injuries.

Benjamin Afutu Kotei – Hearts Of Oak

Quickly becoming a fan favourite, Afutu has caught the eye in the middle of the park with his impressive display so far. His incredible work rate and dazzle on the ball has seen him start ahead of Frederick Ansah Botchway. He has scored 5 goals so far for the Phobians.

Mudasiru Salifu – Asante Kotoko

Mudasiru is peerless in the league with his looking at contribution to the team. He has been superb in recent outings for Kotoko. His positional sense is impressive as well and will just need an injury-free career to become great.

Fabio Gama Dos Santos – Asante Kotoko

A lot was said about the diminutive midfielder even when he had not kicked a ball. He can control the tempo of the game and that’s why he starts in midfield. He has scored 4 goals with 7 assists so far and 3 MVP awards in the league in his debut season in the Premier League.
Splitting defences with his passes and making intelligent runs in the box to open up spaces for his teammates.

Emmanuel Gyamfi – Asante Kotoko

The Kotoko forward is one of the most improved players in the second round of the league. He continues to blossom each matchday. He looks more dangerous when surging forward and with him on the flanks, Kotoko is assured of productive runs. Gyamfi has used his pace to good effect usually engineering most of Kotoko’s attacks.

Kwadwo Obeng Junior – Hearts Of Oak

Obeng Junior has proven to be reliable for the Phobians having scored 9 goals so far in the season. The strength and power he posses make it difficult for defenders to contain him. His positioning in the final third is remarkable and will because of a lot of problems for the Kotoko backline.

Daniel Afriyie Barnieh – Hearts Of Oak

Barnieh has been fantastic this season for Hearts although he missed some games due to his involvement in the U-20 Afcon. His power and strength on the ball is impressive. Although he misses a lot of chances his work rate has been superb as a forward

Asante Kotoko winger, Augustine Okrah has vowed to punish rivals Hearts of Oak if allowed to play in the upcoming biggest fixture Ghana Premier League.

Hearts of Oak will play as host against Asante Kotoko in a match-day 31fixtuure of the 2020/21 Ghana Premier League at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday, June 27, 202.

Both sides are on 56 points but the Phobians lead the long with a better goal difference.

The titanic clash could therefore determine the league winner with four games to end the season.

Oprah, who was in the thick of affairs in the truncated 2019/2020 season where Kotoko beat Hearts of Oak 2-1 at the Accra Sports Stadium in the first leg is craving for another chance to replicate that.

Hearts of Oak took the lead through then forward, Joseph Esso but Okrah’s free-kick saw Justice Blay leap past all Hearts of Oak defenders to head home the equalizer in the 64th minute.

Okrah is looking for the opportunity once again to provide yet another assist to help Kotoko beat their rivals.

I've been practising this kind of crosses even since I returned from injury layoff.

Hopefully, I'll have the opportunity, even if it is one minute, to break their HEARTS again.#OkrahMagic #SuperClash pic.twitter.com/iYcVwVKkzL

— Augustine Okrah Official (#OkrahMagic) (@AugustineOkrah1) June 25, 2021

He tweeted:

Kotoko went ahead to win the tie 2-1 when Guinean import, Naby Keita slotted home the winner from the penalty spot.

Okrah recently returned from injury and gradually warming his way back into fitness and the first team.

Ahead of Sunday’s Super Clash between Hearts Of Oak and Asante Kotoko, we bring you a compilation of previous decides in the local game.

I.1961/62:Accra Sports Stadium

HEARTS (44pts) – 2(Aggrey Fynn & Amadu Akuse)

KOTOKO(43pts) – 1(Dogo Moro)

HEARTS

II. 1976: Kumasi Sports Stadium

HEARTS(49pts) -2(Peter Lamptey & Robert Hammond

KOTOKO (46pts) -1(Malik Jabir)

The first introduction of “Fearsome 5” squad by Hearts – Ahmed Polo(Dribbling Magician), Peter Lamptey(Goal thief), Mama Musah Acquah (Bomber), Robert Hammond(Expensive)& Anas Seidu(Thunder).

Kotoko scored 1st through a controversial penalty kick taken by Malik Jabir,Peter Lamptey scored the equalizer and the winning goal respectively.

2. Kotoko key players(Defender) were wrongly sacked with the accusations of taking bribe from Hearts.They  Kuuku Dadzie,then Black Stars Captain and Dan Oppong).

III.1979: Accra Sports Stadium

HEARTS(51pts) -1(Robert  Hammond)

KOTOKO(50pts)

IV. 1985: Kumasi Sports Stadium

last match of the season

HEARTS(69pts) -1(Joe Amoateng 44min header)

KOTOKO(69pts)

V.1989/90: Kumasi Sports Stadium

HEARTS(78pts) -2(Shamo Quaye & Anthony Tieku)

KOTOKO(Michael Osei)

*That’s the match in which the budding Kotoko defender of Starlets 1989 fame had a career curtailed injury prematurely and wasn’t heard of again.

VI.2004/05 Zonal Champions decider match: Accra Sports Stadium

HEARTS -1(Benard Don Bortey) a banana free-kick scored in the 2nd that won the league for the Phobians.

The zonal league was played because of the Participation of Black Stars in the 2006 World cup qualifiers and the Black Meteors for the Athens-2004 Olympics Games, where a lot of locally-based players were used by both National teams,so the premier teams were divided into Northern(A) and Southern(B)  zones.

Both Kotoko and Hearts topped the respective zones with 29pts each.

*Asante Kotoko requested that a foreign Referee should be appointed for the match which the FA heeded to and brought in Togolese Referee KOKOU DJAUPE to officiate the match.

Hearts defender, Dan Oppong was sent off in the 2nd half, so Hearts played 10 against 11 and still won.

Now 2020/21 season, Accra Sports Stadium, Sunday 27th June,2021. Who wins the day?

HEARTS (?)

KOTOKO(?)

Compiled by: JOJO EPHSON

Credit: EphsonNews.Com

Head coach of Legon Cities, Bashir Hayford indicated that iHearts coach Samuel Boadu, who he describes as his son, came to him for his blessings ahead of Sunday’s crucial encounter against rivals Asante Kotoko. 

The former Kotoko coach and two-time Ghana Premier League winner was amazed by the humility of the ex-Medeama coach and wished him the best in his career.

The two Ghanaian giants will lock horns in a matchday 31 fixture of the Ghana Premier League on Sunday, in what could end up being the league decider.

“Samuel Boadu is my son. He came to me to bless him after the game. He said he always want to be like me. I am impressed with what he has done at Hearts of Oak. He deserves all the praise,” said Bashiru Hayford after the game.

Kwadjo Obeng Jnr and Fredrick Ansah Botwe were on target for the Phibians before Victorien Adebayor pulled one back from a freekick.

Hayford was pleased with the performance of his team but rues the chances missed.

“Hearts had their chances and they took it. We put them under pressure in the second half. Kudos to them, they managed the pressure well. I won’t take anything away from them,” he said.

“I am happy to always see the boys improve match after match. Next season, teams should watch out for us. We will continue to improve in all the games left.

“It was a tactical game from all angle. The boys understood all they have to do and did it exactly but just missed the chances created.”

Head coach of Hearts of Oak Samuel Boadu is blunt about his side’s ambitions ahead of their crucial clash against Asante Kotoko in the Ghana Premier League, saying he holds no grudge against their rivals but only with three points.

Hearts of Oak re-established their lead at the summit of the standings after beating Legon Cities FC 2-1 at the Accra Sports Stadium on Thursday night.

The Phobians will engage bitterest rivals Asante Kotoko in what many have termed as ‘decider’ on matchday 31 of the campaign on Sunday.

In the aftermath of the side’s game against Legon Cities FC, coach Boadu fired a warning shot at their adversaries ahead of the much-anticipated encounter on Sunday.

“I want them to come and support the boys. They should come in their numbers because we’re going to deliver, they shouldn’t worry at all.”

“We need the three points. We don’t have a problem with Kotoko, it’s the three points we have a problem with,” the 35-year-old tactician boldly declared.

Both Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko go into the match tied on 56 points.

A scoreless stalemate would see Hearts of Oak maintain their lead at the table.

However, Asante Kotoko will leapfrog their rivals with a scoring draw due to the head-to-head record after playing goalless stalemate in the reverse fixture in February.

-Ghanasoccernet

The match day 30 fixtures of the 2020/21 Ghana Premier League fixtures were honoured on Wednesday and Thursday.

Hearts Of Oak returned to the summit of the league with a 2-1 win over Legon Cities on Thursday night.

Asante Kotoko moved temporarily to the top spot after Wednesday’s 2-1 win over Karela United.

WAFA survived Aduana Stars scare in a 3-2 win over the former Ghana champions in Sogakope while Berekum Chelsea beat struggling Elmina Sharks to secure their 10th victory of the season.

Precious Boah’s freekick brace propelled Dreams FC to a 2-1 comeback win over Eleven Wonders at the Dawu Park.

A second half goal by Maxwell Abbey secured all points for Great Olympics against Bechem United who failed to score a 2nd-minute penalty.

Scores at a glance:

BEREKUM: Berekum Chelsea Fc 2️⃣ – 1️⃣ Elmina Sharks FC

Scorers: Stephen Amankonah, Abdul Basit(pen) | | Tahir Mensah

Man of the match: Stephen Amankonah (Berekum Chelsea)

SOGAKOPE: WAFA SC 3️⃣ – 2️⃣ Aduana Stars FC

Scorers: Augustine Boakye, Justus Torsutsey, Yousifou Atte | | Sam Adams, Flavien Kongoza

Man of the match: Derrick Antwi (WAFA SC)

ACCRA: Accra Great Olympics 1️⃣ – 0️⃣ Bechem United FC

Scorer: Maxwell Abbey Quaye

Man of the match: Maxwell Abbey Quaye (Olympics)

DAWU: Dreams FC 2️⃣ – 1️⃣ Eleven Wonders

Scorers: Percious Boah (2x) | | Abass Ganiu

Man of the match: Philemon Baffour (Dreams FC)

OBUASI: Asante Kotoko SC 2️⃣ – 1️⃣ Karela United Fc

Scorers: Emmanuel Gyamfi, Fabio Gama (pen) | | Richard Berko

Man of the match: Fabio Gama (Asante Kotoko)

TARKWA: Medeama SC 1️⃣ – 1️⃣ King Faisal

Scorers: Prince Opoku Agyemang (pen) | | Kwame Peorah

Man of the match: Fatawu Sulemana (Medeama SC)

CAPE COAST: Ebusua Dwarfs 1️⃣ – 0️⃣ Inter Allies

Scorers: George Asamoah

Man of the match: Emmanuel Anafo (Ebusua Dwarfs)

SOGAKOPE: Liberty Professionals 1️⃣ – 5️⃣ AshantiGold SC

Scorers: Simon Appiah | | Amos Nkrumah, David Abagna, Amos Addai, Seth Osei, Frank Akoto

Man of the match: Stephen Owusu Banahene (AshantiGold)

ACCRA: Legon Cities 1️⃣ – 2️⃣ Hearts Of Oak

Scorers: Victorien Adebayor | | Kwadwo Obeng Jnr, Frederick Ansah Botchway

Man of the match: Daniel Afriyie Barnieh (Hearts Of Oak

Top Scorers Chart after match-day 30

Charles Diawisie Taylor (Karela United) – 16

Joseph Esso (Dreams)   – 11

Kwame Peprah (King Faisal) – 11

Stephen Amankona (Berekum Chelsea) – 11

Hans Kwoffie – (AshGold/Legon) -10

Maxwell Nii Abbey Quaye  (Great Olympics) – 10

Agyenim Boateng Mensah (Dreams)   – 9

David Abagna Sandan (AshGold) – 9

Kojo Obeng Jnr (Hearts of Oak) – 9

Daniel Lomotey (Wafa) – 8

Hafiz Wontah Konkoni (Bechem United) – 8

Yaw Annor (AshGold) – 8

Prince Opoku Agyemang (Medeama) – 8

Benjamin Tweneboah (Sharks/Aduana) – 7

Kwame Poku (Asante Kotoko)  – 7

Yahaya Mohammed (Aduana Stars)  – 7

Kwame Boateng  (Karela United) – 7

Victor Aidoo (Hearts) – 7

Salifu Moro   (Bechem United) – 7

Nafiu Sulemana (Inter-Allies) – 7. , etc

STANDINGS