Kotoko-Hearts in MTN Super Two

By: Jerome Otchere

Date: 13-09-11

Local football fans in the country will soon witness two massive pre-season clashes between giants Kumasi Asante Kotoko and their arch rivals Accra Hearts of Oak in what has been christened the MTN Super Two.

Kotoko’s Public and Supporters Relations Manager, Listowell Yesu Bukarson who disclosed this to Kotoko Express said officials of both Kotoko and Hearts have confirmed their interest in the extraordinary two-leg game.

The two matches he indicated would be played in Accra and Kumasi before the 2011/2012 Glo Premier League season opens on October 9. Whereas the first clash is scheduled to take place at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi, on September 25, the second duel has been slated for the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium in Accra on October 2.

Listowel told Kotoko Express that arrangements and discussions between managers of Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak on the unprecedented trial matches have gone well adding that telecommunication giants MTN have agreed to sponsor the two big matches.

He said MTN who incidentally are the headline sponsors of the two clubs have therefore tasked organisers of the Super Two to furnish them with the budget for the games. So irrespective of where the action will be, the feeling is expected to be thrilling and the atmosphere, colourful as the thousands of Hearts and Kotoko fans inevitably will throng the match venues in their noticeable rainbow colours and the dominant red and white colours respectively.

Explaining the rationale behind the upcoming matches, Listowell Yesu Bukarson said the two matches would help foster peace, and strengthen friendly ties between the two clubs before the league season opens continuing that cordial relations between Kotoko and Hearts still remains crucial to the development of the Premier League and local football on the whole.

Besides building excellent friendship between them, Listowell argued that the matches would undoubtedly raise funds for the clubs ahead of the new season. The enhancement of Kotoko-Hearts relations and the fund raising aspect aside, the Kotoko spokesman also added that the matches would afford coaches the two teams the chance to assess the preparedness of their players ahead of the 2011/2012 season.

It is worth noting that Kotoko and Hearts rarely engage in friendly matches. Their last (which formed part of activities marking the 10 anniversary of the May 9 Stadium disaster) in May this year could not come on as the Phobians came onto the field with a rather weakened team that included the goalkeeper of the national women’s football team.

The previous year, the fabulous lads had beaten Hearts 1-0 in the 9th anniversary match of the unfortunate stadium tragedy which claimed 127 lives. Last season, Kotoko chalked a remarkable 2-0 win over Hearts in Accra. Hearts had earlier beaten Kotoko 1-0 in Kumasi. It remains to be seen where the pendulum will swing to in the MTN Super Two.