LIVE UPDATES: Hearts of Oak vs Asante Kotoko (Special Competition)

It’s the big one – Accra Hearst of Oak versus Kumasi Asante Kotoko in the semi-final of the Normalization Committee’s Special Competition.

At some point, disagreement over match venue and gate proceeds appeared to have killed the game but it was resurrected after both clubs reached agreement with the NC over the terms and venue of the match.

The new-look Hearts with its beautiful brand of football welcome CK Akunnor’s efficient Kotoko side to the Accra Sports Stadium.

A second-place finish in the Northern Zone means Kotoko are going to play Hearts who finished top of Southern Zone.

The Phobians have been invicible at home, winning 7 and drawing just one of eight games played at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Kotoko haven’t been good travelers, of eight matches played, the porcupines won only one but “Accra is our home” is the general belief among their fans.

Kotoko’s Amos Frimpong threw the first salvo saying “Hearts have been playing good football at home in the competition but we are determined to stop their unbeaten run. We are coming in strongly to win against Hearts and build upon our hopes of making it to next season’s CAF Champions League.

His counterpart Fatawu Mohammed replied: “Day in, day out we are working hard in training towards the game against Kotoko. It’s not going to be an easy game obviously, but we have a good squad and I believe we are going to get the job done on Sunday,” he assured.

“Since the beginning of the tournament, we have vowed never to allow any team to come and beat us at the Accra Sports Stadium and we have stuck to that promise ever since, so on Sunday we are going to improve on that impressive home record by winning and qualifying to the final.

Both sides have been boosted by the return of their two players who were part of Ghana’s provisional squad for the AFCON. Hearts Mohammed Alhassan and Kotoko Safiu will face off after their experience with the Black Stars.

Stay here as we bring you live updates from the Accra Sports Stadium from 3:00pm