Ahead of the Super Clash on Sunday, the Joy Sports team continues the build up to the clash. In this edition, we go back to the last five games Hearts and Kotoko have played in Accra.
Last 5 games' form: Kotoko 2W, Hearts 1W, 2D.
Current Kotoko coach David Duncan has been in charge for two of those five games as boss of Hearts. He suffered a defeat and a draw.
It is interesting to note that this Sunday will be Duncan’s fourth Super Clash encounter but first as Kotoko boss. Out of these four encounters, he has drawn twice and lost once.
December 13, 2009: Hearts 1-0 Kotoko (Samuel Affum)
In their last five games at the Accra Sports Stadium in the league, this has been the only win for the Phobians.
The game’s only goal was scored by Samuel Affum (below, pictured) after he connected a Mahatma Otoo cross. Kotoko could not salvage a draw despite the dismissal of Hearts' Karim Alhassan for two cautions.
The game ended on a sour note as then Kotoko keeper, Soulama Abdoulaye - now Hearts' number one - exchanged blows with a national security official. It took the intervention of other security personnel to escort the Burkinabe to the tunnel. The season ended in abysmal fashion for both teams with Hearts finishing third and Kotoko finishing fifth.
March 20, 2011: Hearts 0-2 Kotoko (Ahmed Toure, Daniel Nii Adjei)
Hearts were in a celebratory mood that year, it being their centenary. But Kotoko had other plans, as they defeated their eternal rivals in the year's first of two clashes.
A goal each from Daniel Nii Adjei and Ahmed Toure condemned the Phobians to a home loss. Daniel Nii Adjei’s goal was a fantastic strike from range which left then number one Sammy Adjei hapless. Despite beating Kotoko 1-0 in Kumasi later that year, the Phobians ended the centenary season in seventh.
This was a Phobian team that had Obed Ansah, Uriah Asante, Mahatma Otoo and defender Osei Bonsu while Kotoko’s team had Alex Asamoah, Michael Akuffo, Frank Boateng and John Kuffour in their ranks.
The Porcupines finished third.
November 20, 2011: Hearts 0-0 Kotoko
In Maxwell Kondadu’s only league Super Clash in Accra to date, the points were split with both teams showing grit and tenacity in 90 tense minutes.
The game ended in a goalless draw but the stand out performers in the game were defensive midfielders - Hearts' Moro Abubakar and Yahaya Mohammed of Kotoko.
The Phobians, under their Serbian trainer Nebojsa Vucecevic paraded Mahatma Otoo, Uriah Asante, Douglas Nkrumah and Thomas Abbey while Kotoko had Black Stars left back Baba Abdul Rahman in their team as well as Yaw Frimpong, now with TP Mazembe.
Kotoko were in scintillating form that season as they went on to clinch the first of three titles on the trot with 63 points. Hearts ended the season in third, 14 points behind Kotoko.
Above pictured: Hearts' Moro Abubakar and Kotoko's Michael Anaba
May 5, 2013: Hearts 1-1 Kotoko (Winful Cobbinah; Michael Helegbe)
Both teams shared the spoils in a second successive Accra draw.
The Phobians took the lead midway in the first half through the enterprising Winful Cobbinah (below, pictured) before a blunder by Tetteh Luggard allowed Kotoko’s Michael Helegbe to find the equalizer through a corner.
The biggest surprise that day was the inclusion of Obed Ansah by David Duncan for Hearts after the player had been out all season. But the attacking midfielder lasted just 45 minutes.
Didi Dramani was in charge of the Porcupine Warriors who had an attack consisting of Kofi Nti Boakye and Seidu Bancey. The draw did not hinder the progress of Didi’s side as they went on to clinch the league title with 56 points.
Hearts of Oak on the other hand, saw a remarkable improvement in form after Duncan lifted the side from 14th to fifth.
September 22, 2013: Hearts 0-1 Kotoko (Seidu Bancey)
The last league encounter between both sides in Accra ended with a 1-0 victory for the Reds.
It came from a a stunning strike from Seidu Bancey (below, centre). Goal king for the 2013/2014 season, Seidu - alongside his strike partner Yahaya Mohammed (right in picture) - run the Phobians ragged on the day with beautiful combination play.
David Duncan’s Hearts side had to do without influential skipper Moro Abubakar as the midfield duo of Jordan Opoku and Michael Akuffo run rings round the Phobian midfield.
Didi Dramani’s Kotoko side went on do the league and FA Cup double while Hearts parted ways with Duncan two months after this game. Mohammed Polo replaced was the new gaffer and he led the club to secure third despite encountering many difficulties.
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CLICK TO READ: Ahmed Toure wants total Kotoko focus
CLICK TO READ: Ali Maradona lashes out at 'inconsistent' GFA DC
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Look out more #JoySports team buildup to Sunday's big game. Analysis, news, and features on radio, TV, and online. Follow Kweku on Twitter: @nana_odum.
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