Kotoko/Hearts decider fixed for Accra

Accra, Mar. 8, GNA - The Professional League Board (PLB) has selected the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium in Accra as the venue for the deciding game between Kumasi Asante Kotoko and Accra Hearts of Oak for the 2004 premier league.

The match scheduled for Sunday, March 13 comes alongside the third place match between Kpando Heart of Lions and King Faisal at the Kumasi Sports Stadium.

The venues for the two matches were picked through a ballot system, which was conducted by Mr Oysten Bjorge, Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Telecom, sponsors of the 2004 Premier League at a brief ceremony in Accra.

The match is to decide the over-all winner of the 2004 Premier League after Kotoko and Hearts emerged as winners of Zone A and B respectively of the 2004 novelty zonal league.

Prior to the selection of the venue, Mr Welbeck Abra-Appiah, Chairman of the PLB gave the assurance that contrary to the objection of Hearts to play the match as a result of the impasse between Kotoko and the Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA), "the game would definitely come on".

"As I speak to you now, there is peace talks going on at the secretariat of GHALCA and I believe a solution will come out of the meeting to ensure that the match comes on".

Mr Abra-Appiah announced that the match would be handled by a foreign referee to avoid any form of misunderstanding and subsequent violence on the part of followers of any of the clubs on the day of the match.

He said the decision was taken in consultation with the Referees' Association of Ghana (RAG) and the Referees Appointment Committee (RAC). The PLB Chairman stated that the match will also attract the best form of security arrangements to ensue a violence free day.