Glo Premier League preview -Kotoko Vrs Hearts

Saddick Adams (Dinpa Fm) Writes;

Pride, A piece of Ghanaian soccer history as well as a toast of bragging right will be at stake when Kumasi Asante Kotoko and Accra Hearts of Oak open a new page in their age-old rivalry to do battle in the Week 9 of the 2010/2011 Globacom Premier League at undoubtedly the Soccer City of Ghana, The Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Sunday.

Under a new seemingly flourishing management led by Dr. K.K Sarpong, Asante Kotoko would aim to avoid any heartbreaks at their home venue whiles Newly installed Fred Crentsil would aim to continue from where his predecessor left off particularly in the derbies. From evidence, the fixture can determine the otherwise success or failure of club directors, managers and even players...The desire to write their names in record books, the efficacy to buy bragging rights at whatever price always serves as the impetus to carry victory on the day.

Match Background From a striker for the Porcupine warriors, Ebo Mends has joined the clubs' fold as the manager and will seek to end Kotoko's hoodoo at the Baba Yara Stadium against Hearts Of Oak, but nothing much can be said of his compatriot on the opposing side who was never a favourate at this venue during his eight month spell with the Kumasi based club. Nothwistanding a series of poor results by both clubs in the league league, the two managers would lavishly cherish a victory to turn around events from there.

.Hearts of Oak have lost just two league matches at kumasi since 1999 and the last time they did was 15th May 2005,when they conceded 3 goals under 40 munities when a similar to-now Kotoko side of Douglas Nkrumah, Kwabena Dodzie and Daniel Aquah did the damage with Malik Jabir on the bench.

Last 10 meetings in Kumasi: Kotoko(W2, D4, L4). With this, the phobian fanatics claims Kumasi has always been a good hunting grounds for them but coach Ebo Mends enjoyed a victory over Hearts with his Arsenal side at home before going down 3-nil in Accra.

The last time the two teams met with two local coaches at the helm of affairs, Yusif Abubakar's Hearts were victors over Paa Kwesi Fabien.

Kotoko has managed 4 wins and losing 2 all at the Baba Yara Stadium in their 7 Premier league matches,scoring 10 goals in the process and lies 3rd on the log.

Hearts have scored only once away from home out of their 6 league goals in eight games with 3 wins, 3 draws, and 2 losses.

Team Ties · Ebo Mends and Paa Kwesi have previously coached Berekum Arsenal and enjoyed successful spells. · Louis Agyeman spent 3 fruitful seasons with Hearts Of Oak from 2000-2005. · Alex Asamoah played under Paa Kwesi Fabien at Berekum Aresenal before moving to Ashanti-Gold · Douglas Nkrumah played 2 seasons for Kotoko, and scored against Sammy Agyei when the two teams met in 2005. · Ebo Mends lost to a hearts side that included sammy adjei during his first spell as Kotoko coach

Players To Watch

Kotoko Louis Agyeman has been in fine shape for the Porcupine lads and would be hoping to punish his former club, based on the vast experience required to thrive in Kotoko-Hearts matches.Has scored a couple of wonderful goals this season. and his performance wa superp in the loss to Kng Faisal last sunday.

Hearts Undoubtedly the new kid on the block for the phobians is Edwin Osei "Pele" who has been the marksman for the team this season. Was with Kessben Fc for a season but did not have the advantage of playing Kotoko and this would be a fine moment for him to replicate the exploits of Ismael Addo who scored with delight in kotoko-Hearts matches.

Probable Line-Ups Kotoko: Amoako, G.Ofosu, Quainoo, Anokye, Appiah, Bruce, Nii Adjei, Oduro, ,Afrane, Louis, Asamoah.

Hearts:Adjei,Bobie, Nzemaba, Alhassan, Bonsu, Mohammed ,Zugah, Tetteh, Urian, Nkrumah, Osei Pele.