Asante Kotoko have vowed to end the invincibility of arch-rivals Accra Hearts Oak when they clash in the semi-finals of the Normalisation Committee (NC) Special Competition Tier 1 at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday.
The skipper of Kotoko, Amos Frimpong, has declared that his side is ready to eliminate the Phobians at home on Sunday as they target playing in next season’s CAF Champions League.
Frimpong told the Daily Graphic in an interview that Kotoko were committed to winning in Accra, which he described as ‘home’ to the Porcupine Warriors.
“Hearts have been playing good football at home in the competition but we are determined to stop their unbeaten run.
“We are coming in strongly to win against Hearts and build upon our hopes of making it to next season’s CAF Champions League,” he said.
However, the 27-year-old defender stated that they were not affected by the club’s management’s initial decision to pull out of the game and reiterated their desire to prove a point on Sunday.
The big match stirred controversy when Kotoko pulled out due to the FA’s decision to allow Hearts play at home, aside from awarding them 40 per cent share of the gate proceeds, with their rivals getting 30 per cent.
The FA has since agreed to give Hearts and Kotoko 40 per cent each, compelling Kotoko to rescind their decision. Meanwhile, Fatawu Mohammed, skipper of Hearts of Oak, says his side are not prepared to lose their home invincibility when they welcome arch-rivals Asante Kotoko in the semi-finals of the ongoing GFA Normalisation Committee Special Competition Tier 1 on Sunday at the Accra Sports Stadium.
In an interview with the Daily Graphic after a press conference yesterday to launch a new project by the club, Fatawu said the Phobians were poised to maintain their unbeaten record and as such were putting in the necessary work to make sure that they came out victorious on Sunday.
“Day in, day out we are working hard in training towards the game against Kotoko. It’s not going to be an easy game obviously, but we have a good squad and I believe we are going to get the job done on Sunday,” he assured.
“Since the beginning of the tournament, we have vowed never to allow any team to come and beat us at the Accra Sports Stadium and we have stuck to that promise ever since, so on Sunday we are going to improve on that impressive home record by winning and qualifying to the final,” the skipper emphasised.
Coach Grant is currently building a youthful side that is playing well in the competition.
Fatawu, who is expected to lead his team on Sunday, says his outfit boasts of players such as Christopher Bonney, Daniel Kodie and Malik Akowuah, graduates Michelle Sarpong and Manaf Umar, William Dankyi, Joseph Esso and others who can win the game.
Graphic Sports
