Preview: Kotoko v Hearts

Asante Kotoko meet Hearts of Oak continue their rivalry in Ghana football when they meet yet again on Sunday in a first 'Super Clash' involving their respective coaches - Mas-Ud Didi Dramani and David Duncan.

Emotions are always driven high in meetings involving Ghana's two biggest sides with their dominance over the past decades serving as the ingredients for the biggest rivalry in Ghana football and one of the top clashes in the world.


One thing that is unavoidable is the enmity which will forever exist between the clubs.


Their meetings draws record crowds and produces drama but for both clubs, the quest for all three points remains their topmost ambition.


The Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi will stage Duncan's debut match since succeeding the sacked C.K. Akonnor as he attempts to put Hearts of Oak back on track.


Hearts of Oak are lying 12th on the standings, three points adrift their rivals who are placed 7th ahead of their match-day-7 clash to be refereed by John Atikese.

Though a few days into his new job, Duncan is confident he can get the better of Kotoko, an assertion backed by one of the club's most influential players, Laryea Kingston, who was sent off last season when both sides met in Kumasi in a game the Phobians lost 2-1.


“It's about the three points, I always say. It’s about pride because if we win the morale in camp will be massive,” Kingston told the club’s website.


“I will use this platform to urge all Phobians to join us on Sunday at the Baba Yara stadium as we silence these noisy Kotoko faithful once and for all.”


But for Didi Dramani, the Porcupine Warriors hold the upper hand against their fiercest rivals.


“We are obsessed with beating Hearts because our aim is to climb to second place this Sunday and jump to the top before the end of the first round,” the Kotoko coach said.

“I disagree with those who say form guide plays no role in football. It does a lot in the modern game and we will seek to capitalize on our current form on Sunday.”


“It will be a very emotional game especially for Hearts because of their present circumstances and the fact that they have a new coach. The players will want to 'kill' themselves to catch his attention in a big game like this one.”


The Phobians tend to perform better in Kumasi in matches hosted by their rivals. Hearts have won 18 times against 17 by Kotoko in matches at the Baba Yara Stadium with 12 ending in stalemates.


The occasion will lift the fans but the results will be crucial come the end of the season.