Asante Kotoko forward Albert Amoah has reaffirmed the team’s determination to secure victory against bitter rivals Hearts of Oak, insisting recent events at the club have not distracted the players.
The Porcupine Warriors are set to host Hearts of Oak at the Baba Yara Stadium on Sunday in the latest edition of the Super Clash, a key fixture on Matchday 22 of the Ghana Premier League.
Kotoko head into the high-stakes encounter on the back of a disappointing FA Cup exit, having suffered a penalty shootout defeat to Aduana FC in the Round of 16. The setback proved costly, as head coach Karim Zito stepped down shortly after the elimination.
In response, the club appointed Prince Yaw Owusu as interim head coach, with Hamza Obeng serving as his assistant, as management looks to stabilize the team ahead of the crucial derby.
Addressing speculation about unrest within the squad, Amoah firmly rejected claims that players had pushed for Zito’s departure.
“No player wanted Karim Zito out before he resigned. Such speculations should be disregarded,” he told Kessben FM.
The striker emphasized that the squad’s priority is now Sunday’s showdown, describing it as a chance to bounce back strongly.
“We were actually looking forward to using Sunday’s game against Hearts of Oak to make things right, but what happened happened,” Amoah said.
Kickoff for the much-anticipated encounter is scheduled for 17:00 GMT, with both sides eager to claim bragging rights in Ghana’s fiercest football rivalry.
