Special Competition: Combined Hearts and Asante Kotoko XI

Ahead of the crucial encounter between Asante Kotoko and Accra Hearts of Oak on Sunday, footballmadeinghana’s Abdul Wadudu picks his combined XI between the two sides.

The selection is based on players form in the Tier 1 League.

Accra Hearts of Oak had the most representatives with six players whilst Asante Kotoko had five players.

Felix Annan (Asante Kotoko) – Felix Annan is arguably the best goalkeeper on the local scene. His heroics and stupendous performance catapulted the team’s qualification to semi finals.

Christopher Bonney (Hearts of Oak) – Many were expecting Bonney to leave the club after the arrival of Kim Grant. But the former Dwarfs player has established himself as one of the best right back in the country. He is one of the key members in the Kim Grant set up. He has scored four goals and made as many as five assist.

William Denkyi ( Hearts of Oak) – Hardly hear about him making the airwaves. The former Liberty Professional star is having a very good season with the Phobians. Very consistent and always gone about his business well.

Mohammed Alhassan ( Hearts of Oak) – The former WAFA defender has established himself as one of the best defenders in the country. His performance in the competition resulted in his call up to the senior national team – Black Stars.

Abdul Ganiyu Ismail ( Asante Kotoko)- Robust at the back and very strong in air. Ganiyu has continued from where he left off in the Confederation Cup. He is the most consistent player at the back for C K Akonnor’s team.

Benjamin Afutu ( Hearts of Oak) – The unsung hero of Kim Grant’s juggernaut. Strong, dominant, and hard working. Afutu’s performance is beginning to catch the eyes of many football pundits. He is the heart of Kim Grant’s team.

Emmanuel Agyemang Badu ( Asante Kotoko) – Repaid C K Akonnor’s faith of putting him midfield. He is the most consistent player in the Kotoko’s midfield since their Confederation Cup exit. His performance in midfield has rendered the likes of Umar Bashir, Kwame Bonsu and Habib Mohammed position-less.

Abdul Fatawu Safiu (Asante Kotoko) – The best player in the competition so far. Eight goals and four assist to his team. The former Eleven Wonders player has won the heart of many fans in Kumasi. And his return from the Black Stars camp will be a bittersweet moment for the Porcupine Warriors.

Emmanuel Gyamfi ( Asante Kotoko) – Emmanuel Gyamfi comes ahead of Michelle Sarpong and Manaf Umar because of his consistency. Very dangerous on both sides of the wing. Always a thorn in the flesh of defenders. Second best player for Kotoko after Safiu.

Fatawu Mohammed ( Hearts of Oak)- Fatawu Mohammed has now morphed to a winger since the arrival of Kim Grant. Three goals plus a couple of assist in the competition. Fatawu has been very key to the Kim Grant set up. Always track back to help Bonney when defending, and very good going forward.

Joseph Esso ( Hearts of Oak) – The key man in the Hearts of Oak set up. Esso has scored four goals in the competition and has been the lethal man for Kim Grant’s attack. Esso’s appearance in the Hearts of Oak attack causes a lot of problems for opponent’s defenders and is likely to lead the attack for Kim Grant on Sunday.