By: Jerome Otchere

Date: 18-11-11

Throughout this week, sections of the local media have been busy trying to find a name that rightly befits this weekend’s Glo Premier League game between centenary club Accra Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante Kotoko at the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium.

Call it the Ultimate Encounter or the Super Clash as proposed by many, Hearts-Kotoko matches will continue to draw a lot of attention. As the two giant clubs meet in the 7th week, 2011/2012 Glo Premier League fixture, in a fierce challenge for three points and bragging rights, most of the things that repeatedly characterize their clashes will be replayed.

There is often tension, predictions and bets among supporters, media debates and analyses on which team is the best, resort to superstition, calls for fair officiating and adequate security measures at the stadium, promises of fat winning bonuses, motivational packages, etc.

Unlike Kotoko, Hearts’ run in the 2011/2012 season has been tainted with defeat. With their centenary celebration match against Enugu Rangers of Nigeria also ending in a miserable 1-2 loss in Accra, the Phobians would want to use Kotoko to appease their disappointed supporters and what a good appeasement it would be for them should the game go their way.

Kotoko no doubt have their own ideas – some of which include maintaining our top spot on the Glo Premier League log and moving on with our spotless performance to achieve greater things in the season.

Whereas the ambitions of both clubs are logical, both are quick to admit that it takes far more than the mere expressions of intent to be victorious in their matches. The Porcupines storm the capital in a fine psychological state, having beaten their arch rivals in their last two clashes this year at the same venue.

The first was the return leg of the 2010/2011 tie in March, which saw Kotoko chalking an emphatic 2-0 win. The second came last month, in the Super 2 clash, organised by the Christian non-governmental organisation – Kome to My Aid International, which again saw the fabulous team playing pleasantly to thrash Hearts 3-1.

But Hearts are not bothered by records because even Kotoko concede that the statistics and their accompanying interpretations usually have no effect on who emerges the winner. Same can be said about the current form and shape of the two sides. Nonetheless, it is worth mentioning that Asante Kotoko is in a much better condition than Hearts of Oak.

It will therefore not be surprising if Hearts of Oak struggle to keep pace with the Porcupines. Coach Maxwell Konadu who was the mastermind behind the impressive 3-1 victory has been thinking deeply to plot and ascertain where to hit Hearts the most in order to knock them down completely.  

The Kotoko technical handler was at the stadium when Hearts were embarrassed by Enugu Rangers. Konadu’s joy on his way back to Kumasi was however not relative to Hearts of Oak’s humiliation. Rather it was the chance he had to watch the Phobians days ahead of the big game. He has since been back in Kumasi preparing his side to shake Accra and surely Maxwell Konadu will lead the Porcupines to beat Hearts of Oak once again on Sunday.