Preview: Asante Kotoko vs. Hearts of Oak – Ghana Premier League Showdown

Date: Sunday, December 15, 2024
Venue: Baba Yara Stadium, Kumasi
Broadcast: Live on AFA Sports, Metro TV, Original TV, and the GFA APP

Form Guide

Asante Kotoko

• Last 5 Matches: 1 win, 0 draws, 4 losses


• League Position: 7th (18 points)


• Record: 5 wins, 3 draws, 4 losses


• Goals: Scored 10, Conceded 9

Hearts of Oak

• Last 5 Matches: 3 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss


• League Position: 6th (19 points)


• Record: 5 wins, 4 draws, 3 losses


• Goals: Scored 9, Conceded 6

Coaches' Record

• Dr. Prosper Narteh Ogum (Kotoko): 81st league game; 38 wins, 20 draws, 22 losses.
  
  
  • Undefeated against Hearts of Oak: 3 wins, 1 draw.


• Aboubakar Ouattara (Hearts): 29 games; 9 wins, 7 draws, 10 losses.

Key Stats

• Home Performance (Kotoko): Lost last 2 home games, 3 wins in 6 home matches.


• Away Performance (Hearts): Unbeaten in last 5 away games (3 wins, 2 draws).

In their last 11 encounters at Baba Yara, Kotoko has won 3, Hearts 2, with 6 draws. Overall, this is the 115th clash since 1958, with both teams tied at 38 wins each, and 38 matches ending in a draw.

Players to Watch

Asante Kotoko:

• Albert Amoah: 6 goals in 11 matches, league's second-top scorer.


• Mohamed Camara: Key goalkeeper, coming off a clean sheet against Aduana FC.


• Other Key Players: Justice Blay, Patrick Asiedu, Samba Oniel.

Hearts of Oak:

• Hamza Issah: Top scorer with 3 goals in 12 matches.


• Benjamin Asare: Goalkeeper with 7 clean sheets, including two consecutive against Kotoko.


• Other Key Players: Salim Adams, Mawuli Wayo, Kelvin Osei Asibey.

Recent Matchups

• Last 8 matches: Kotoko 3 wins, Hearts 2 wins, 3 draws.


• Goals in the last 8 games: Kotoko 7, Hearts 5.

Conclusion

This highly anticipated fixture is not just about the league points but pride and bragging rights in Ghanaian football. Kotoko will aim to break their recent poor form and end their home drought, while Hearts look to extend their unbeaten away streak and climb further up the table.

The Baba Yara Stadium is set for an electric atmosphere in what promises to be another thrilling chapter in the storied rivalry.