Clash of Titans: Can Kotoko tame rampaging Phobians? Ogum’s unbeaten run vs Hearts’ away dominance

Kumasi is bracing for an electrifying spectacle tomorrow as Ghanaian football’s fiercest rivalry takes centre stage in the Ghana Premier League.

Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak, the nation’s most celebrated clubs, are set to renew their iconic Super Clash, a fixture steeped in history, passion and unrelenting drama.

Tens of thousands of fans are expected to fill the Baba Yara Stadium to witness the latest chapter of a historic feud that has captured the imagination of football fans for decades.

This is not just a football match—it is a clash of titans with a rivalry stretching back to 1958. The two clubs are deadlocked in history, each with 38 wins in 115 league meetings and 38 encounters ending in stalemates. Yet, the Phobians have not tasted victory in Kumasi since 2015, a fact that fuels the Porcupine Warriors’ confidence.

Both teams are separated by just a single point on the log table, with Hearts sitting sixth with 19 points and in fine form recently, unbeaten in their last five outings.

Hearts' away form has been nothing short of remarkable. The Phobians are unbeaten in their last five games on the road, racking up three wins and two draws. Their defence, marshalled by goalkeeper Benjamin Asare, has kept three consecutive clean sheets on their travels.

But Kotoko’s home form tells a more worrying story: back-to-back defeats against Heart of Lions and Nations FC at the Len Clay Stadium highlight their recent struggles where the Porcupine Warriors have recorded three wins, two losses and a draw in six matches.

Battlegrounds

Key matchups will define the game, particularly the clash between Kotoko’s leading scorer, Albert Amoah, who has six goals this season and Hearts’ formidable goalkeeper Asare, who boasts seven clean sheets.

The midfield contest will also be fierce, with Justice Blay anchoring Kotoko’s engine room against Hearts’ versatile Salim Adams. Both players possess the ability to dictate play and provide the creative spark for their sides.

Meanwhile, Kotoko’s coach, Prosper Narteh Ogum, remains undefeated against Hearts, having masterminded three wins and a draw in four encounters.

His counterpart, Aboubakar Ouattara, has had mixed fortunes since taking over at Hearts in the second round of the 2023/24 season, managing nine wins, seven draws and 10 losses in 29 matches.

In their last 11 meetings at the Baba Yara Stadium, Hearts have won only twice, with Kotoko securing three wins and six matches ending in a draw. The last eight fixtures between the two sides have been equally competitive, with Kotoko claiming three victories, Hearts winning two and three matches drawn.

This season, Kotoko have scored 10 goals and conceded nine, while Hearts have netted nine and let in six. The Phobians have shown defensive resilience on the road, keeping three consecutive clean sheets in their last away games.

Probable line-ups

Asante Kotoko (4-3-3): Mohamed Camara; Lord Amoah, Patrick Asiedu, Samba O’niel, Joseph Ablorh; Justice Blay, Andrews Ntim Manu, Emmanuel Antwi; Saaka Dauda, Wisdom Bassey, Albert Amoah.

Hearts of Oak (4-1-3-2): Benjamin Asare; Emmanuel Amankwah, Ransford Mensah, Kelvin Osei Asibey, Samuel Amofa; Theophilus Collinson; Salim Adams, Sani Mohammed, Hussein Mohammed; Hamza Issah, Mawuli Wayo.

Head-to-head stats
Total Meetings: 115 matches since 1958.
Wins: Kotoko 38, Hearts 38, Draws 38.
Goals Scored: Kotoko 132, Hearts 121.

Last 8 encounters:
Wins: Kotoko 3, Hearts 2, Draws 3.
Total Goals: Kotoko 7, Hearts 5.

Form guide

Asante Kotoko:
7th on the league table with 18 points.
Record: 5 wins, 3 draws, 4 losses.
Goals Scored: 10 | Goals Conceded: 9.
Recent Form: 1 win, 4 losses in their last 5 games.

Hearts of Oak:
6th on the league table with 19 points.
Record: 5 wins, 4 draws, 3 losses.
Goals Scored: 9 | Goals Conceded: 6.
Recent Form: 3 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss in their last 5 games.

Tactical battles

Kotoko’s key players:
Albert Amoah: 6 goals in 11 games; 2nd in league top scorers.
Mohamed Camara: Goalkeeper with a clean sheet in their last game.
Justice Blay: Midfield maestro to dictate play.

Hearts’ key players:
Hamza Issah: 3 goals in 12 games; Hearts’ top scorer.
Benjamin Asare: 7 clean sheets in 12 games.
Salim Adams: Playmaker to unlock Kotoko’s defence.

Coaches records

Prosper Narteh Ogum (Kotoko):
Unbeaten against Hearts in the league (3 wins, 1 draw).
Overall Kotoko record: 38 wins, 20 draws, 22 losses in 80 games.

Aboubakar Ouattara (Hearts):
Record with Hearts: 9 wins, 7 draws, 10 losses in 29 games.