Match Officials For Kotoko vrs Hearts Super Clash Named

By: Bernard Nyankomago Kwasi

The Referees Appointment Committee of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), has selected FIFA Referee Daniel Nii Ayi Laryea to officiate Sunday’s mother of all battles between Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.

The referee of the moment, Daniel Laryea will be assisted by Paul Atimaka (Assistant 1) and Seth Abletor (Assistant 2).

Referee Gideon Nii-Coffie is the 4th official for the Ghana’s version of El Classico otherwise known as Super Clash.

It may be recalled that Referee Collins Amoah handled the first round encounter at the Accra Sports Stadium which the Porcupine Warriors exhibited resilience to conquer 1-0 courtesy Donzo’s penalty kick.

Seth Nii Darko, a newly appointed member of Kotoko Communications Team has wished Referee Daniel Laryea the best of luck in Sunday’s duel but wants him to be fair.

“We wouldn’t want to be like them (Hearts) and we wouldn’t want to do what they did to Referee Collins Amoah when he was appointed to officiate the first round game at the Accra Sports Stadium in November 2025”.

“We respect, regard and accept the fact that you are the Ghana’s number one referee. But be fair and apply the rules fairly as a professional referee and not a tribal and regional referee. WEe wish you the very best of luck” Nii Darko posted on his Facebook wall.

Referee Daniel Laryea has been extremely busy in the last couple of months. From AFCON 2025 where he operated as center and Video Assistant Referee (VAR), he was appointed by CAF only last weekend to handle a CAF Confederation Cup match between Kaizer Chiefs and El Masry of Egypt.

He will be in the thick of affairs when Kotoko welcome their sworn rivals, Hearts to Kumasi. The Fabulous Boys have not beaten the Phobians back-to-back in a league match for 39 years now. They are gritty to exorcise that ghost on Sunday.

Kotoko are currently 5th on the log sheet with 35 points, having won nine, drawn 8 and lost four in 21 league games.

Hearts are just a point (36) on top of Kotoko at the 4th position. In 21 matches, Hearts have managed to secure nine wins, nine draws and three defeats.