Kotoko to battle Hearts in President’s Cup

Ghana champions Asante Kotoko will play holders Hearts of Oak in the 2015 edition of the President’s Cup at the Accra Sports Stadium on Wednesday, to commemorate the country’s Republic Day.

Kotoko, after two successive victories over Ashantigold and Bechem United in the FA Cup and league, will be hoping to make it to three in all competitions as they face archrivals Hearts, who have been experiencing a poor run in the league, winning only six out of 20 games and lying 11th, one point above relegation zone.

Manager Herbert Addo will like to record a victory to make it a double after beating Kotoko in the first round to stage a late comeback with ten more fixtures to end the campaign.

“The President’s Cup will be played at the Accra Sports Stadium on Wednesday and the two teams to compete in this titanic encounter will be Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko.” Said Alhaji Raji, president of Ghana League Clubs Association (Ghalca).

Concerns were raised as to why the country’s two biggest clubs must be made to play on a Wednesday, a weekday, after a similar timing in 2001 caused a disaster in which 126 lives perished, but Ghalca member Albert Commey insists his outfit is working within the laws.

“When the then president in 2001 set up a Commission led by Justice Okudjato to find the causes of the disaster, they declared in their final report that matches involving these two clubs must not be played on weekdays especially on Wednesdays except if it is public holiday so the game is definitely taking place since next Wednesday is a public holiday” Commey told Goal.

Referee J.K Mortey has been appointed to handle the game with supports from Nicholas Djomoah and Haruna Ayuba, while David Laryea is the fourth official.

Each club is expected to receive $12,000 as appearance fee, with the winner taking home medals and a trophy but they are not entitled to gate proceeds.