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06.02.2009 Football News

'Naa' Jordan Opoku 'Naa' Obed Ansah…As Kotoko battle Hearts in the Garden City

06.02.2009 LISTEN
By Kofi Owusu Aduonum - Ghanaian Chronicle

Our own version of the 'El classico' involving Asante Kototo and Hearts of Oak will be enacted at the Baba Yara stadium in Kumasi, on Sunday.

The last time both teams played out to a pulsating 3-3 drawn game, the main actors in that game were Kotoko's prolific striker Eric Bekoe and Hearts' gritty defender Dan Coleman.

With the exit of Eric Bekoe to foreign land, the mantle has now fallen on two players who posses exquisite and delicate passing abilities, in the persons of Kotoko's Jordan Opoku and Hearts' Obed Ansah.

Both players seem to have assumed the kin pin roles in their respective clubs.

They are the engines on which both teams operate and the outcome of Sunday's cracker depends very much on which of the two would win the midfield battle.

Sundays battle of wit and grit would be with the usual passion and excitement that surrounds a typical Hearts vrs Kotoko game.

The only difference in this week ten Glo Premier League cliffhanger is that there is no silverware at stake, but the three points that is up for grabs, as well as the honour and bragging rights that comes with the game is enough to set the Baba Yara stadium ablaze with soccer artistry.

Also, the level of vengeance on the minds of the combatants is enough motivation to churn out an uncompromising showpiece.

While Kotoko will seek to exorcise the four nil drubbing at the hands of their visitors and to placate their fans for their recent not-too-impressive performance, the Phobians on the other hand are determined to guard against their recent invincibility aura.

Indications are that, Hearts' talisman Charles Taylor has recovered from a knee injury and that has raised optimism in the Phobian camp. And with the arrival of Satellites' duo of Samuel Inkoom and Emmanuel Agyeman Badu has also heightened morale in the camp of the Red Army.

Current form has over the years played no role in the outcome of Hearts-Kotoko clashes, and the same will characterize Sunday's game.

In other games, RTU will stay home to face Tema Youth, while Eleven Wise travel to Wa to play Kwesi Nyantakyi's All Stars.

At the Sunyani Coronation Park, Bechem Chelsea will be hosts of Heart of Lions, with Sporting Mirren welcoming Berekum Arsenal.

Former Asante Kotoko coach, Bashir Hayford will lead Kessben FC to play as guests of Liberty Professionals, while Hasaacas host All Blacks at Essipon.

Faltering Ashgold will stay home to play against King Faisal at their favourite Len Clay Stadium.

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