Hearts and Kotoko combined XI

Hearts of Oak welcome sworn rivals Asante Kotoko for a full-blooded affair this afternoon at the Accra Sports stadium on the occasion of Week 8 of the Ghana premier League. Expect to see both set of players bleed for the cause defending their club colors, also expect to hear some boos from the Hearts fans directed towards Ashittey Ollenu the ex Phobian winger.

Games between these biggest sides attract the attention of every single football fan interested in Ghana football whether they are leaving in the country or abroad, for them its the biggest one. Who cares about the Barcelona – Real Madrid?

Both clubs enter this game with some brilliant players but hang on, if I asked you to select your best eleven players from both sides, who were you going to drop? Benjamin Mensah or Felix Annan?

This is my best eleven players drawn from both sides in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

GK Felix Annan – Asante Kotoko.

Has recored five clean sheets this season. Only Benjamin Arthur of Liberty and Noah Niiquaye have scored against Annan. I did not only picked Annan over Ben Mensah because of the number of clean sheets kept but also because of his quickness and skills. Above all his composure in goal is excellent.

RB Anthony Nimo – Hearts of Oak

Easy decision to make. Amos Frimpong has only been involved in two games of Kotoko this season with the captain of Kotoko sustaining an arm injury against Liberty Professionals in February. Nimo has been a great buy for the Phobians and is already a contender for the right back position when I pick my best eleven of the entire season. One assist to his name.

LB Eric Donkor – Asante Kotoko

Its always going to be Donkor whether playing as left full back or left wing back he’s been a great defender for Kotoko and showed some good leadership qualities when handed the captain’s armband during the absence of main captain Amos. Joshua Otto has not been bad for Hearts of Oak but then he’s not been exceptional also.

CB Ahmed Adams – Asante Kotoko

Adams claims one of the central defensive positions thanks to his influence in the Kotoko defence that has conceded just 2 goals in 7 games. Comfortable anywhere at the back.

CB Inusah Musah – Hearts of Oak

The best center back in the country now. When he was given the best defender award last season I complained that the award should have gone to either Amos Frimpong or Abdul Bashiru but Inusah has so far defended the givers of the award, that he can also score goals apart from defending as he did against Great Olympics.

CM Malik Akowuah – Hearts of Oak

This was bit tougher head to head. Tuffour Frimpong of Kotoko versus Akowuah. Both have been excellent in the defensive midfield role for their respective teams but Akowuah has been consistent in the Hearts midfield unlike Tuffour, who has started couple of games from the bench.

CM Daniel Kordie – Hearts of Oak

Another straight fight between Seth Opare of Kotoko and Daniel Kordie of Hearts of Oak. Both players are new signings at their clubs. Whilst Opare joined Kotoko from Aduana Stars, Kordie moved from Liberty Professionals to join the Phobians and was voted man of the match in the Hearts of Ok 2 Wa All Stars 1 game back in February. Opare is yet to settle well in Kotoko, his performances lack consistency uncharacteristic of him . Kordie wins it for me here.

RM Emmanuel Gyamfi – Asante Kotoko

I wasted no time. Gyamfi three assists and couple of man of the match performances from this little winger.

LM Thomas Abbey – Hearts of Oak

Topscorer of Hearts Oak, Abbey has not seen a terrific start to the season like currently what he’s enjoying. Not just a captain but a captains that leads by industrious example. I picked him over likes of Frank Sarfo Gyamfi and Ashittey Ollenu.

AM Patrick Razak – Hearts of Oak

Has missed couple of games due to injuries but he still is the best in this role. Got a goal against Dwarfs. Obed Owusu and Kwame Boahene of Kotoko are the other players considered fro this role and you know the boss is Razak.

CF Yakubu Mohammed – Asante Kotoko

Has scored 4 goals in his debut Kotoko season. What else can you ask for? Cosmos Dauda, Samuel Yeboah and Alexandre Kouami are below Yakubu in terms of goals scored. In fact the Kotoko striker has scored three more goals than the striking trio of Hearts of Oak (Yeboah, Cosmos and Alexandre).