#SuperClash: Kotoko battle Hearts in Accra – Preview, Team News & Possible line-ups

On Sunday, February 28, 2021, the 107th league meeting between Accra Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante Kotoko will take centre stage in an impressive 14th match-day meeting scheduled for the Accra Sports Stadium.

For the two competitors in this year’s Premier League campaign, it’s a mixed season with both teams level on 23 points, but the Porcupine Warriors have two outstanding matches.

In recent years, with major resignations through multiple hierarchies in the club, Hearts had been dealt a huge blow while Kotoko failed to make the group stages of this year’s Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) Confederations Cup after being eliminated by ES Setif, the Algerian side.

They have won three times, drawn and lost twice out of seven league matches in the season, despite being touted as the desirable home grounds for Kotoko at the Accra Sports Stadium.

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

Current Form

Both Hearts and Kotoko have won their last two consecutive matches in the league and, as mentioned earlier, are equal on points.
The last match for Kotoko was in the match against ES Setif in the CAF Confederation Cup where they played a goalless draw match 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

The game is scheduled to start at 15:00 GMT.

By Kwadwo Acheampong