The Ohene Djan Sports Stadium will definitely explode with soccer thrills and fireworks when Accra Hearts of Oak host their bitterest rivals, Kumasi Asante Kotoko on Sunday.

Indeed, the game promises to be cagey and uncompromising looking at the importance both sides have attached to the game.

Kotoko are gritty to win to keep their top four ambitions on track while the Phobians will also seek victory to ease the relegation pressure on them. This makes the game very dicey.

However, the Porcupine Warriors with their current form and calibre of players in the team obviously look the favorites.

After thrashing defending champions, Aduana Stars 3-0 last Sunday in Kumasi, the team is brimming with much confidence to make amends of the 0-1 defeat they suffered in the 9^th week encounter at their backyard.

Apart from Ohene Brenya who is nursing a waist injury, all the players are in good condition and are preparing feverishly for the game. A regular visit to the Adarko Jarchie training grounds this week confirmed that every player was staying focused and paying serious attention to the tutorials given them by the handlers.

Physical Trainer Awudu Nuhu disclosed in a brief chat with Kotoko Express on Wednesday that the stamina level of the players had tremendously improved following rigorous training activities since the second round started. He also added that the players had been psychologically prepared for the game.

“The technical staff have done enough in terms of preparations. We have prepared the players well both physically and mentally. With this I know Hearts will fall on Sunday” he pointed out.

Goalkeepers’ Trainer, Joe Carr also expressed satisfaction about the current form of the playing body, particularly that of the goalkeepers. He was positive Kotoko would surely be cruising to the final whistle as victors looking at the wind blowing in camp and commitment among the players.

Interestingly, Prince Anokye is on record to have missed all Kotoko-Hearts encounters in Kumasi since he joined Kotoko four seasons ago.

However, he would be available for the match on Sunday and he has declared that he and his colleague were battle ready for the game.

“We have gone through good preparations and we are waiting to teach Hearts a lesson on Sunday,” he stated and urged all Kotoko fans to remain calm over any noise by the Hearts fraternity and keep on praying for the team.

Asked whether he was satisfied with his total contributions to the team this season, Anokye replied that it has been average. He promised to do more in the remaining games and help Kotoko finish well in the Glo Premiership.

Another player who is bent on making an impression in the match is striker Alex Asamoah, the second top scorer of Kotoko with five goals. It may be recalled that he sustained an injury during the first leg in Kumasi on October 31, 2010.

“It was my target to score against Hearts in Kumasi, but my dream was shattered because of injury. I want to assure all Hearts supporters that I’m fully fit now so they should prepare for defeat on Sunday,” he warned.

Midfield workaholic, Sabato Mohammed who is also looking up to start against Hearts on Sunday revealed that they were not under any pressure ahead of the game.

Despite the fact that Hearts have won their last two league games against Kotoko in Accra, he was cocksure Hearts would surely leave the Ohene Djan Stadium a defeated side.

Albert Bruce also sent a special appeal to the supporters to come in their numbers and support them. Though he accepts that the players are chiefly responsible for victory, he also believes the amount of support they will get on Sunday will be crucial to victory.

“We want the supporters to throng the stadium massively with their red and white colours for they will leave with happiness,” he emphasized calling for competent referees from the organizers of the competition.