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| Hearts, Kotoko battle for leadership spot |
10/2/2005 |
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Hearts, Kotoko battle for leadership spot
WHENEVER the two most glamorous clubs – Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak – meet either in competitive or friendly encounters, there is always much for their teeming fans to enjoy as both teams try to out run each other.
Today, Sunday will, certainly be another opportunity for the traditional rivals to not only display their skills but also ensure that the contention for the GT Premiership is rekindled, especially when the two clubs are neck to neck in the league table. Kotoko are at the top with 47 points whilst Hearts are at their heels with only a point separating them.
And with six matches for the competition to come to a close, every club is gearing up to either win or escape the dreaded relegation zone. It is for this reason that Hearts and Kotoko are making every effort to outpace each other, especially at this crucial stage of the league.
Both teams won their mid-week matches Wednesday. Hearts beat lowly-placed Okwawu United 1- 0 at Nkawkaw whilst Kotoko also stung visiting Hotspurs 2-0 at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.
The Fabulous club handed a 3-1 beating to the Phobians in Kumasi in their first round meeting, and for Hearts to suffer a second defeat at their own backyard at the Ohene Djan Stadium would be a very painful pill for them to swallow, especially when they are both gunning for the title.
Kotoko, since being handled by coach Kwasi Afranie, have been performing creditably, winning almost all their friendly and league matches. This game would, therefore, be a test match for the veteran coach whose immense experience would be his trump card.
Hearts, on the other hand, are keen on overtaking their rivals. They have chalked some successes with their expatriate technical handler, Sanzio Bahner, and with Don Bortey spearheading the attack, Hearts must utilise the opportunities that might come their way.
This is a match of equals and since it’s always very tricky determining results of matches between the two rivals, Sunday’s encounter may go either way. King Faisal who are also trying to make it to the top spot, have a herculean task on hand to ditch Ashantigold at the Baba Yara Stadium after losing 0-2 to Real Sportive at Tema Wednesday. Ashgold managed a 2-0 victory over Hasaacas and this must boost their morale to at least, split the points with their opponents.
Real Sportive, despite winning mid-week, must be prepared for a defeat at the Tamale Kaladan Park where they would be hosted by Real Tamale United and youngsters Feyenoord must deepen the woes of Okwawu at Swedru.
Hasaacas host Liberty Professionals at Sekondi in what looks like a drawn game. Ebusua Dwarfs are likely to suffer at the hands of hosts Arsenals at Berekum while Hotspurs and Heart of Lions’ match at Kade can be anybody’s game. At Tema, Power FC are hot favourites against Bofoakwa
Source: GHP
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