Hearts vs Kotoko clash in London to benefit the State, players and clubs – Report

History will be made on the 7th of March 2020, as the most successful clubs in Ghana, Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko play a friendly game at the Barnet Stadium in London, UK.

Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko will not be the first football rivalry teams to play outside their country of abode as the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Valencia, Juventus, AC Milan and many others have all played outside the confines of their country in their bid to sell their football brand to the different parts of the continent especially in Asia where the clubs believe they can make good money.

To our clubs in Ghana, this will be a test case for them to showcase a true Ghanaian football artistry to the outside world as ambassadors of our local games.

It will also open the gates for the likes of Ashantigold SC and Aduana Stars who are the next force in Ghana football, that is, if they are able to sell good football to the fans on March 7, at the Barnet Stadium.

Aside the history that will be made on that day, GhanaWeb.com brings you some of the benefits that the two clubs, the players on the field of play and Ghana as a country can derive from this friendly game to be played in the UK.

Benefit to the clubs

This is the perfect occasion for the two clubs to sell their replica jerseys to their numerous fans in the UK especially among the Ghanaian community who have been trying to get their relatives to get them a replica of the respective teams.

Hearts of Oak’s Umbro jersey has being ranked as the best jersey in Africa and 32nd in the world, ahead of the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester United and Liverpool and as such there is no other perfect time to showcase the best jersey in Africa to the world.

Also, they can utilize this opportunity to form alliance with some English teams especially the Championship and third division teams for football businesses in the near future and they can get the opportunity of playing more friendly games with these teams during the pre-season break as the Phobians played one in 1970 against Swansea City FC.

After given their kits sponsors a proper mileage on the international stage in this game, they can use that to negotiate for better deals with them or other kits sponsors in the future.

Playing body

Teenagers of Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak, Mathew Anim Cudjoe and Daniel Afriyie Barnieh after taking the local game by storm will be the focus of many football scouts considering the age of these two players being 16 and 18 respectively.

If the two players dream of playing in Europe, this is the time for them to rise to the occasion and live up to expectations and maybe they can earn themselves a good deal.

Justice Blay and Emmanuel Nettey, are arguably the best midfielders in the local league currently as they have both impressed their respective fans and the entire football fraternity in the country.

A good performance can even land them a slot in the Black Stars as Justice Blay has already enjoyed a stint with the local Black Stars.

2019 WAFU star, Joseph Esso, Black Stars goalkeeper Felix Annan, and all the playing body should play this game like their life depends on it as they will not know the kind of personalities who will be watching them on that day.

The country

The ‘Visit Rwanda” advert on the Arsenal jersey earned them £36M last year and the Tourism Ministry can also use these two teams to bring the world to Ghana after doing so well with the ‘Year of Return’ Initiative.