Sports News of Sunday, 26 August 2018
Source: Graphic.com.gh
2018-08-26
Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko will clash this afternoon
The two most glamourous clubs in the country, Kumasi Asante Kotoko and Accra Hearts of Oak, will rekindle their age-old rivalry when they lock horns today, Sunday, August 26 in a StarTimes-sponsored friendly christened ‘Super 2’ at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi.
This afternoon’s cracker is expected to bring back memories of which club rules the field and who boasts of a massive following in a bid to settle ancient scores.
Despite the suspension of football activities in the country, both teams have been training daily and engaging in friendlies to improve upon the fitness of their players.
Hearts, under the tutelage of stand-in coach, Seth Hoffman, have been impressive in their various friendly games, including a 2-0 victory over
Dansoman-based Liberty Professionals at the Carl Reindorf Park, winning 3-1 against Bechem United last month and drawing goalless with Susubiribi FC at the Rovers Park at Old Tafo recently.
With that background, Coach Hoffman will lead his charges against rivals in enemy territory, hoping to achieve even better results to improve upon his credentials on the local scene.
Last Thursday, Coach Hoffman hinted in an interview with the club’s website that the pitch at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi would decide the final result of the game, making the duel a dicey one.
On the other hand, Coach Paa Kwasi Fabin and his charges recently recorded a 1-0 win over Susubiribi in a friendly at the Rovers Park at Old Tafo and drew 1-1 with Tanzanian side, Simba SC, in a friendly encounter at the Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam a fortnight ago.
From all indications, both clubs are ready for a showdown, considering the noise they have been making about the game on their various social media handles.
Yesterday, a statement on the official Twitter handle of Kotoko read: “This Sunday! Let’s fill Baba Yara to the rafters and create a cauldron of noise at the Baba Yara Stadium. Come let’s enjoy good football and meet the likes of Songne Yacouba, Felix Annan, Michael Yeboah and others. Don’t miss out.
“Referee Maxwell Hanson will officiate Sunday’s Super-2 clash between Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko in Kumasi. He will be assisted on the lines by Alex Asante and Shine Ayitey, with Obed Dankwah as the fourth referee. Kick-off time is at 3pm,” a statement on Hearts ‘official Twitter handle read.
Tema-based Class One referee Maxwell Hanson last handled a Hearts-Kotoko clash during the GHALCA G8 at the same Baba Yara Stadium and will be the pivotal man on Sunday when the two superpowers take to the pitch.
According to the Organising Committee, GH?5.00 will be charged at the Popular Stand, GH?7.00 for the Centre Line, while the VIP will attract GH?20.00.