Accra Hearts of Oak SC and Asante Kotoko SC are to play out the latest episode of one of the continent’s greatest rivalries on Sunday when the two teams at the Baba Yara Sports stadium.
The Phobians have not been as their best in recent outings, but the occasion is no worse for it and a number of legends from both sides have played in these games down the years.
Here’s a look at a classic combined XI from the last two decades.
Sammy Adjei (GK) - Sammy Adjei stands alongside George Owu, Sani Mohammed and Joseph Addo among the greatest goalkeepers to have played in this fixture. He was an integral member of the Hearts team that won the CAF Champions League and Super Cup and won successive Premier League titles with the Accra club.
Amankwah Mireku (RB) – I had a choice here between Amankwah Mireku and Aziz Ansah and i settled on the former. The former Hearts captain lifted the CAF Champions League, Super Cup and added some domestic titles to his list of silverwares during his stay with the Phobians. A true leader at the back, Mireku established himself as the best right-back in the league for the number of years he played for Hearts and is revered as a Hearts legend.
Jacob Nettey (LB) – This is a real shoot-out between Hearts’ Nettey and Kotoko’s Afful Harrison, but the former just pips and the Kotoko man. Nettey was the skipper of the Hearts side that conquered Africa in the year 2000 and won five Ghanaian premier league titles with two FA cup too. A predominantly right footed player, Nettey effortlessly played as a left-back with ease and defined the role with his forward raids and astute awareness on the pitch. His combative style as well as his leadership has still never been replaced at Hearts since his departure. He was capped over 47 times by the Black Stars.
Issah Ahmed (CB) – Ahmed joined the Porcupine Warriors from Accra Great Olympics and quickly established himself as the best in his position. His defensive awareness was fantastic and gave the Kotoko side the confidence to throw everyone forward in attack. His aggression helped endear him to the Kotoko faithful. He was quick and strong in the tackle, and at his best was the player the Kotoko team was built around.
Dan Quaye (CB) – One of the most versatile players to play in this fixture. Kofi Wayo as he was affectionately known among the Hearts fans could play as a right-back, left-back, at the heart of the defence and even as a defensive midfielder. He was a real powerhouse regardless roles assigned him on the pitch.
Yusif Alhassan Chibsah (DM) - Lawrence Adjah Tetteh and Edmund Copson’s achievements with the Phobians could earn them spots in most combined XIs, but Kotoko’s Chibsah edges it here. The former King Faisal FC midfielder was a central figure in the numerous battles between these two clubs at the height of the rivalry. He was fantastic in his role as a midfield anchor. He made himself indispensable in Kotoko’s engine room till his departure.
Stephen Oduro (CM) - As one of the best attacking midfielders the Ghanaian league has ever seen, Oduro’s inclusion here should not come as much of a shock to anyone. He was capable of making things happen, and shown he was a man for the big occasion- as his free kick goal against Hearts in a league fixture demonstrated. He was a member of the Kotoko team which won the league in 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2011, 2013 and 2014.
Emmanuel Osei Kuffour (CM) – The General played for both sides and was a regular feature during his days with both but he had his best days with the Phobians with a continental and domestic silverwares to his belt. He was known for his versatility and was once kept the post for the Black Stars during a game with the Super Eagles of Nigeria. He was noted for his intelligent goals and assists and is dearly loved by fans of both clubs.
Bernard Dong Bortey (RW) - Do I even need to explain why Bortey gets in here? He was really, really good at football, and you only have to look at his goals, assists, work rate, personal and collective accolades to know that he meant business. He was a maverick who got burnt in an inglorious blaze but still one of the best the Ghanaian game has ever seen.
Ishmael Addo (ST) - He won three consecutive top scorer awards in the league (2000-2002), won the golden boot in the FIFA U-17 Championship in 1999 and really loved playing against Asante Kotoko. He won the league on five occasions in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, and his return in 2009. He had the quality to terrorise defences, the ‘enfant terrible’ waltzes into the team with ease.
Charles Taylor (LW) - A similar story to Emmanuel Osei Kuffour, Taylor was a beast during his playing days. He could beat players at will with his pace and dribbling, and had a keen eye for goal as well and he was always willing to try and make something happen for his sides.
Coach: Sir Cecil Jones Attuquayefio- Well, was there really a choice to be made here? He is the best coach to ever grace the Ghanaian Premier League. The main brain behind the Phobians’ successes in the 2000s, the late gaffer’s tactical and managerial nous is unrivalled. He dished out thrashings to Kotoko including a memorable 4-0 mauling two decades ago- yet he inspires reverence and respect in equal measure from either side of the divide. He surely has perpetually etched his name into Hearts’ and Ghanaian football folklore.
Honourable mentions:
Countless modern legends have played for Hearts and Kotoko in the last 20 years alone, a handful of those have even played for both clubs- that includes Godwin Ablordey, Louis Agyemang, Agyemang Duah, Lawrence Adjei, Michael Asante just to mention but a few. Prince Tagoe, Nana Arhin Duah, Isaac Boakye, Kenneth Sarpong, Kwabena Boafo, Eric Nii Baah, Eben Dida, James Nanor, Lois Quainoo, Obed Ansah, Dan Oppong, Kwame Antwi, Godfred Yeboah, Isaac Owusu, Shilla Alhassan, Eric Gawu, Eric Bekoe and Mahatma Otoo are just some of the other icons to have played in this fixture.
By: Godfred Budu
