SWAG urges Hearts and Kotoko to ensure a friendly and competitive game

Accra, Nov. 19, GNA - The Sportswriters Association of Ghana (SWAG) has urged Accra Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante Kotoko to strive to ensure that the historic all-Ghanaian CAF Confederation Cup final football match is played within a friendly but competitive atmosphere to ensure that Ghana football becomes the eventual winner, irrespective of the outcome of the match.

The Association has therefore appealed to the management and supporters of both Hearts and Kotoko to ensure that peace prevails before, during and after the CAF Confederation Cup final.

Mr Emmanuel Amoako, Secretary of the Association in a Press Release copied to the GNA Sports congratulated the two Ghanaian clubs for their feat and for qualifying for the final of CAF's Confederation Cup.

The release said, "This historic feat is further proof of the clout both clubs wield in African football and it is our hope that you paint a positive picture of Ghana football in the two-leg final, especially as the Accra and Kumasi stadia will be the focus of the whole continent".

The Association reminded the two clubs of the horrifying images of the May 9 tragedy and that it should serve as a chilling reminder and a caution for the two to desist from the use of intemperate language and to refrain from any acts of provocation that might heighten the tension to dangerous levels.

It said it has also become a matter of concern that recent clashes involving Hearts and Kotoko hardly pass without clashes involving rival supporters and since the Confederation Cup has so much at stake, "it is our hope that security would be tightened during both matches to ensure incident-free games".

Mr Amoako said once again the two clubs must be reminded that since the two games fall on both ends of the forthcoming Presidential Elections on December 7, it has become even more necessary to ensure a peaceful atmosphere for these two very important events to take place.