Former Hearts of Oak winger Bernard Dong Bortey has backed his former club to defeat their arch rival Asante Kotoko in Sunday’s FA Cup final.

The Phobians have not been to the FA Cup final since the year 2000 but have an opportunity to remedy the situation when they take on Kotoko in Temale.

Speaking on Silver FM in Kumasi, Dong Bortey believes his boyhood club stand as favourites. “There is always the thought that Hearts, Kotoko matches don’t follow form guide but for me, that mantra is gradually changing in that the team with the best of form carries the day”.

“Judging by the performance of Hearts of Oak this season and how some of the players have improved, I have no doubt that they’ll win”.

Bortey warned the Phobians to be wary of Kotoko as they have players who can surprise them if they allow themselves to be complacent. “Inasmuch as I see Hearts as favourites, Kotoko should not be underrated since they have equally good players that can pull surprises any day”; he added.

He further opined that if the Phobians manage to hold on to these crop of players and build on from where they left off from the just ended season, they stand a better chance of winning next year’s league.