Ahead of the Super Clash on Sunday, the Joy Sports team continues the build up. Four days to go now. Kweku Arhin  highlights the two players, from each side, to watch.

COSMOS DAUDA

The former Mighty Jets striker is one of the few players to have made a seamless transition from division one to the Premier League. Cosmos was virtually unknown and regarded as one of the few lesser known players signed by the Phobians in the off season. By dint of hard work, he is now the focal point of the Hearts attack. Cosmos was one of the few players signed early on in the preseason not to have been axed for non-performance. The Phobians signed as many as 9 players and let most leave after their trip to Libya but Cosmos stayed and what a decision this has proven to be. At the beginning of the season, he was behind in the pecking order with Selasi Adjei, Samudeen Ibrahim, Sam Yeboah and midfielder Richard Yamoah starting ahead of him. But his contribution off the bench against Edubiase and his goal against Medeama also off the bench means Dauda is now a mainstay in the Hearts set up. His assets are mainly his speed and strength but his all round play is equally superb. He can lead the line on his own or drop in between the lines and link up with fellow players. A big asset for the Phobians and will surely be a handful for the Kotoko center back pairing of Ahmed Adams and Richard Osei Agyeman. In addition to this, he has an eye for goals. 4 goals so far….One surely to watch.

ISAAC MENSAH

Of all the 22 players set to start on Monday, Isaac Mensah will be the most natural dribbler on the pitch hence he can create magic at any moment. Mensah has grown in leaps and bounds this season and has fast become the creative hub on which Kenichi’s tactics rely on. The diminutive winger is likely to start on the left of a midfield four which will contain Mustapha Essuman, Sarbah Laryea and Eric Kumi. The trio will put in such hardwork and cover a lot of grounds and their effort will be compensated by the flair and trickery of Mensah. “Messi” as he is nicknamed is not shy to call for the ball neither is he shy to take on his man due to his confidence. It comes as no surprise he is one of the most fouled players in the league. In addition to his trickery, he puts on a shift defensively aiding his left back Kennedy Appiah and until recently Owusu Bempah. Tracking back will come in handy on the day because Kotoko’s Amos Frimpong can and will run riot on the right wing if the given the chance to operate.  Mensah is the perfect team player to transmit Kenichi’s ideas. He defends for the team, creates magic and most importantly scores. He currently has two goals to his credit in the league.

DAUDA MOHAMMED

The young striker returns to the grounds where he was hero 9 months ago. Amidst difficulties and emotional trauma on the day, Dauda Mohammed stood tall to score a brace against Hearts to restore some lost pride for the Porcupines after a turbulent season. The task gets harder on Monday with Kotoko in poor form while their rivals are on a high. If there is one person who prevails in such atrocities, then it is Dauda Mohammed. The Kotoko youth product began the season on a poor note after injuries hampered his progress. However, in recent weeks, he has shown why he is in the number 10 jersey for the Porcupines. Speed, trickery and fantastic off the ball movement has meant Dauda is every defender’s nightmare. Robin Gnagne, who was exposed for speed against Emmanuel Ocran, and Richard Akrofi will have their work cut out facing Dauda. When not scoring, he terrorizes defence to create openings for his strike partner. It remains uncertain whether Osei will start Kwame Boateng or Obed Owusu but there is one certainty; Dauda will start. In their 2-1 win over Hearts in August, Dauda played slightly off Obed Owusu adding to the numbers in midfield as well posing a threat on the counter. However he is deployed on Monday, he surely will be the livewire for Kotoko. Two goals in his last three games should also make him confident of finding the net.

AMOS FRIMPONG

If there is one thing Kotoko needs against the Phobians, then it is leadership and maturity going into the game and most importantly when the game begins. In captain Amos Frimpong, the Porcupines have the leadership and maturity they crave for as well as the added bonus of composure and defensive organization. Amos will be the Kotoko leader on the pitch and their leader in defence and leader in attack. In defence, he will organize the backline and keep a watchful eye on Isaac Mensah who is set to wreak havoc when given the space. Kotoko’s attacks have generally been built on the wings with crosses coming in from wingers Eric Donkor and Frank Sarfo Gyamfi but Amos contributes a whole lot to this Kotoko build up. Either he races down the wing the provide support for the winger or his movement takes away a marker to create space for the wingers. Hearts ability to limit his influence on the wing will be a tactical battle won for the Phobians but that is easy to say. Amos has power and pace and is always a difficult customer. In addition to this, he has the required composure to find the net from the penalty spot when the chance. Hearts Reuben Gnagne whittled pressure and missed a penalty in the last meeting between both sides. Surely not Amos!

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