[ 2021-02-27 ]

Super Clash Preview: Kotoko plot to deepen Hearts woes
It has been a mixed season for the two rivals in
this year's Premier League campaign with both
sides tied on 23 points but the Porcupine Warriors
have two outstanding games.

Hearts had been dealt a huge blow over the past
days with massive resignations across various
hierarchies in the club while Kotoko failed to
make the group stages of this year's Confederation
of Africa Football (CAF) Confederations Cup after
being eliminated by Algerian side ES Setif.

This year's derby can't be regarded as an
inter-city rivalry because both sides have played
their home matches at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Kotoko emerged 2-1 victors in their last meeting
back in the cancelled 2019/20 Ghana Premier League
where Naby Keita scored the winning goal from the
penalty spot.


Despite the Accra Sports Stadium being touted as
the favourable home grounds for Kotoko they have
won three times, drawn and lost twice from seven
league matches in the season.

Hearts have a better record at the Accra Sports
Stadium recording four wins, three draws and one
loss from eight home matches.

Current Form
Both Hearts and Kotoko have won their last two
successive matches in the league and are level on
points as earlier indicated.

Kotoko's last match was in the CAF Confederation
Cup match against ES Setif where they played a
goalless draw game while Hearts recorded an
impressive 1-0 victory against Liberty
Professionals.

Team News:
Goalkeeper Razak Abalora who was not in the team's
squad for their cancelled match against Bechem
United is expected to be back in the team for the
"Super Clash" after training with the senior
national team, Black Stars ahead of the AFCON
qualifiers.

Asante Kotoko's top marksman Kwame Poku who was
not named in the match-day squad to face Bechem
United is also expected to be back in the team for
the clash against Hearts.

Hearts defender Mohammed Alhassan who was benched
in their last game against Liberty Professionals
is expected to be back in the starting line-up
despite an impressive debut by James Sewornu who
replaced him at centre back.

Sensational midfielder Manaf Umar who missed the
last clash against Liberty Professional due to
injury is expected to be back for the Phobians
while inform striker Isaac Mensah is expected to
mark his full competitive debut for the Phobians
after scoring the match winner in two of their
last games.

Both sides are expected to be close to full
strength for the titanic encounter come Sunday.

Kotoko's Possible Line-Up: Razak Abalora (GK),
Kwame Adom Frimpong, Imoro Ibrahim, Habib
Mohammed, Wahab Adams, Emmanuel Sarkodie, Abdul
Latif Anabila, Godfred Asiamah Fabio Gama, Kwame
Poku, Naby Laye Keita

Hearts' Possible Line-Up: Richard Attah (GK),
Fatawu Mohammed, Raddy Ovouka, Nuru Sulley,
Mohammed Alhassan, Umar Manaf, Frederick Ansah
Botchway, Emmanuel Nettey, Isaac Mensah, Victor
Aidoo, Patrick Razak

Predictions: Kotoko 1 Hearts 1

Source - GNA

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