J. O. T. Cup: Kotoko or Hearts?

By Kwabena Agyei-Boahene

The soccer rivalry between Kumasi Asante Kotoko and Accra Hearts of Oak will once again be put to test at the Kumasi Stadium tomorrow.

It is certain that the challenge between the country?s two top clubs will go beyond the usual two-leg league matches originally scheduled to be played by the two rival clubs this year. Kotoko and Hearts are starting the year with two-leg friendly encounters starting tomorrow perhaps to warm up for the impending premier league slated to commence on March 12.

Obviously, soccer clashes between these two teams have never been soft be it a friendly or a competitive encounter. Sunday?s match will be played in memory and honour of J. O. T. Agyeman, the late father-in-law of President Rawlings and has at stake a presidential trophy donated by His Excellency, the President. With the J. O. T. Agyeman trophy at stake, it is evident that the two-leg friendly games will be tough. Last year, Accra Hearts of Oak defeated their soccer rivals, Kotoko, in two of their three encounters. The most painful of the defeats, according to many Kotoko fans, was the one they suffered at the Kumasi Stadium, the home of their darling club. Kotoko, however, were able to console themselves by beating Hearts in Accra on June 4 to avenge the defeat they suffered at home. Sunday?s match is therefore expected to be a battle royal since neither of them is ready to give up the trophy at stake very easily.

Kotoko, who are playing at home, will definitely like to win the first-leg of the J. O. T. Cup match massively to make the March 1 return leg a mere formality like they did against Dwarfs during the Kofi Annan Cup alast week. The in-form Kotoko team, who had it tough last year, are set to draw inspiration from the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the life patron and father of the club, whose presence tomorrow is expected to ginger the team to victory against the Phopians. It is certain that the players will also like to prove to their teaming supporters that they are indeed a transformed side.

But whether Kotoko can really overpower the spirit of the Phopians is yet another story. This is because information from Hearts camp has revealed that the phopian boys have vowed to repeat history come tomorrow. ?We are going to beat Kotoko in Kumasi on Sunday and beat them again in the return match on March 1 to win this cup?, the source said.

Meanwhile, the two games are expected to also give the two teams a good opportunity to test their squad, especially the newly recruited ones, for this year?s premier league.