Ghana Premier League: 6 players to watch in Hearts of Oak vs Kotoko clash

Ahead of the biggest club football league game in Ghana between Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko , Pulse Sports writer Daniel David Quartey takes you through three players from each club that will play key roles when Referee Awal Mohammed whistles for the kick-off. Mustapha Essuman

Currently he is the most experienced player in the Ghana Premier League, having played for clubs like Liberty Professionals and Dwarfs. Essuman has been the engineer in Hearts of Oak's midfield. His partnership with Sabbah Laryea in most occasions has won games for the Phobians.

You can't just judge him with his age; he is a workaholic and a good passer of the ball. In the ongoing campaign he has played 790 minutes for the Phobians and has scored one goal. Cosmos Dauda

The former Mighty Jets and Prestige forward has been the goal getter for the Phobians in their recent games. He has the power and skills to outwit defenders. His contribution in Hearts of Oak's games has been superb. Dauda in his last two games has scored three goals and has four goals in 9 games.

One significant quality about the 23-year-old budding forward has been his pace and how he normally swaps positions on the field. If Kotoko defenders want to stop him, they must play above themselves. Isaac Mensah

The diminutive winger is one of the best players in Hearts of Oak's set-up, he has the skills, pace and he is very good in giving incisive passes.

He is the orchestra in the Phobians' set-up, with his movement on the field he has won a lot of plaudits from the connoisseurs of the game with the nickname 'Ashiaman Messi'.  

He is a cultured left-footer and the laterals of Asante Kotoko will have a lot of job to do if they want to curtail the movement of the 21 year-old winger. Mensah has so far scored two goals and provided four assists.  Ernest Sowah

The one-time Black Stars shot stopper has been a wall for Kotoko since winning the race to become the club's first choice goalie. Sowah has kept two clean sheets in five games and his presence in most occasions have kept the Porcupine Warriors moving despite their poor display in the ongoing championship.

Sowah will be put to test by Hearts of Oak's forward players which consist of Samuel Yeboah, Cosmos Dauda and Ibrahim Musah. The trio have scored 9 goals in the ongoing Ghana Premier League.

On Monday, Kotoko will really need Ernest Sowah in the post if they want to pick a point or the three points. Ahmed Adams

The former Berekum Chelsea defender is the pillar in Kotoko's defence, though Kotoko have conceded 8 goals in 9 games, his performances have not been in doubt.

Adams is the organizer and has the ability to search forward when the going gets tough. He is very good at both feet and his aerial agility is superb. Before Hearts of Oak can score they must take care of Adams' first.

In addition, Adams doesn't just defend, he can score as well when he gets the opportunity. Dauda Mohammed

One player the Phobians must be wary of is the 19-year-old Asante Kotoko forward. This season he has not been in the best of shape due to injury but he has managed to score two goals.

Dauda last season broke Hearts of Oak's hearts when his 79 minute strike secured the three maximum points for the Porcupine Warriors at the Accra Sports Stadium - a game Kotoko won 2-1.

The partnership of Roben Gnagne and Richard Akrofi on Monday afternoon will put to the sword by the young forward as he will be assisted by experienced Obed Owusu or Kwame Boateng

Dauda is very good in taking on defenders and it will be a battle between him and Hearts of Oak captain Robin Gnagne.