Hearts of Oak will cross swords with bitter and eternal rivals Asante Kotoko on Sunday, March 5, at the Ohene Gyan Stadium in the 2022/23 Ghana Premier League match-week 20.
Undoubtedly, the biggest fixture in Ghana football and is dubbed the Super-Clash by lots of bookmakers.
Note, despite being a league fixture, this game will also serve as the 2023 edition of the President's Cup- which is played annually to commemorate the country's Independence anniversary with a lucrative package of GHC50,000 to the winner.
The format is somehow winner takes all, as the the team that wins will claim all three points, the bragging rights and also have their hands gripped on the prestigious trophy at stake. Any form of a drawn encounter in regulation time will send the game to penalty shootouts to determine the conqueror.
The 'Phobians' are winless in their last two matches, having lost to Aduana Stars (0-2) and Great Olympics (1-0) all in the capital, and will play their hearts out this time to get back on winning path.
Their recent appaling performance has brought Serbian gaffer Slavko Matic under a huge pressure and scrutiny and was denied to supervise the team's final training session ahead of this game.
However, the Porcupine Warriors are looking really poised heading into the game after picking some motivations from the vital 1-0 win over Bechem United in the midweek, thanks to Enoch Morrison's low drive.
Kotoko's quest to defending their league trophy is still alive as they currently trail leaders Aduana Stars with five points on the log.
TEAM NEWS
Hearts of Oak will welcome the return of Ibrahim Salifu and Caleb Amankwah who missed their last game due to Injuries. Gladson Awako is still doubtful for the game
Kotoko recorded no injuries or suspension from their last game. Mubarik Yussif has recovered but couldn't make the list
But, Maxwell Agyemang, Justice Blay, Isaac Oppong and mercurial midfielder Rashid Nortey all won't make the trip due to injuries.
PROBABLE XI
Hearts: Richmond Ayi, Samuel Inkoom, Dennis Korsah, Robert Addo Sowah, Zakaria Yakubu, Eric Esso, Linda Mtange, Ibrahim Salifu, Clinton Appiah, Enoch Asubonteng and Kwadwo Obeng Junior
Kotoko: Danlad Ibrahim, Augustine Agyapong, John Tedeku, Mohammed Alhassan, Mohammed Sherif, Richard Boadu (C), Mohammed Sheriff, Enoch Morrison, Richmond Lamptey, George Mfegue and Steven Mukwala
CHANNEL: Adepa 247
KICKOFF: (3:30pm)
By: Iddriss Abdul Rahim
