President Cup preview: Kotoko and Hearts to renew rivalry at Baba Yara stadium

Asante Kotoko will lock horns with Accra Hearts of Oak in the 2019 Presdentiail Cup at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.

The match which is billed Strike vrs Puma promises to be a cliffhanger as the two giants of Ghana football fights for the bragging rights.

Asante Kotoko are coming into the game on the back of a defeat against regional rivals AshantiGold in the B K Edusei Cup.

The Porcupine will be looking to get back to winning ways on Sunday when they face their bitter rivals at the Baba Yara stadium.

A win for Kjtil Zachariassen side will be a morale booster for the team ahead of the CAF Champions League round 32 game against Tunisian giant Etoile Du Sahel on the September 16.

Hearts of Oak will be looking to avoid another defeat against their rivals after suffering defeat in their last three meetings.

“We are going to make sure that Kotoko finds it very difficult and I’m sure they will because this is not the team that they have played for a long time. This is a totally different team,”

“This is a totally different way we are playing and hopefully we will be a force to reckon with now and the future.” Hearts of Oak coach Kim Grant on the game against Kotoko.

Boosted by the signing of Dominic Eshun, Bernard Arthur and Emmanuel Mintah, Hearts of Oak will be aiming for a revenge on Sunday after the Porcupines defeated them to qualify for the final of the tier one competitions.

Hearts of Oak recent performances at the Baba Yara stadium will encourage the team to go all out on Sunday.

Team News

Kjetil Zachariassen will miss the service of Habib Mohammed and Kwame Baah due to National Team commitment.

Songne Yacouba is fit again and will be available for selection on Sunday.

Emmanuel Gyamfi is set to return to the side after missing the game against Ashantigold.

Hearts of Oak on the other would be missing the service of Richmond Ayi and William Denkyi due to National team commitment.

New signings Dominic Eshun, Bernard Arthur and Emmanuel Mintah will be looking to have a taste of the Ghana version of El Classico.

Match Fact

Asante Kotoko have won the last three meetings between the two sides.

Asante Kotoko emerged victorious in the 2017 edition beating the Phobians on penalties.

The Phobians have won the cup on four occasions, one less than the Porcupine Warriors.

Probable Line Up

Asante Kotoko

Felix Annan, Empem Dacosta, Patrick Yeboah, Agyemang Badu, Wahab Adams, Justice Blay, Jordan Opoku, Augustine Okrah, Emmanuel Gyamfi, Richard Arthur Keita Naby.

Hearts of Oak XI

Benjamin Mensah, Christopher Bonney, Fatawu Mohammed, Benjamin Agyare, Alhassan Mohammed, Benjamin Afutu, Daniel Kodie, Manaf Umar, Joseph Esso, Dominic Eshun, Michelle Sarpong.

Prediction

Kotoko 1-1 Hearts ( Penalty shootout will decide the winner).