GHANA PREMIER LEAGUE -STATISCAL PREVIEW TO MATCH DAY 25 (Part 1).

Writer: Amoah Kofi
Twitter: @Milikykophy
Facebook: Miliky-Amoah Kophy

Hearts of Oak   Vs  Asante Kotoko.

Old rivalry rekindled.

In Italy, it is called Derby della Madonnina between AC Milan and Inter Milan. It dates back to 1908 with Milan winning 111, drawing 77 and losing 105. In England, Liverpool and Manchester United has produced fierce battles with their first meeting coming in 1894. There have been 119 trophies between them since then. The mention of "Mother of all battles" over a century now talks of Greece most successful clubs in the shape of Olympiacos and Panathinaikos. And in Spain, there is the "El-Classio" between Barcelona and Real Madrid dating back to 1902 with Barcelona winning 105, drawing 56 and losing 92.

In Africa, the meeting between Zamalek and Al Ahly in Egypt has never been short of tension and violence so as Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs in South Africa has produced similar heat and nerve cracking moments. In West Africa, Ghana to be precise, the meeting between Accra Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante Kotoko has produced and continued to produce fire works and charge mood which changes everything in the country in terms of football.

Pundits, connoisseurs, analyst, sports broadcasters and fans has given various names to their clashes. The latest and most common in recent years in papers, on radio and television is the "Ghana's version of El-Classico". But whatever the title is, it promises to be a crucial encounter and a super clash between them this time around base on their league performance this season.

Undoubtedly, the two most successful clubs in Ghana will meet this Sunday on the 2nd of July 2015. The whole of Accra town will come to a standstill so as Ghana as Hearts battles Kotoko in a fight for a breath to sustain life in the league. In our football calender, it is the biggest clash and no doubt it is dabbed category A match by the FA because of the number of followers they command.

As usual, the braggadocio style attain by their supporters has already began. Right from their matches in week 24, the heat and arguments as to who will carry the day come Sunday started. This will be nothing short of a crucial encounter pending their current form in the league and position on the league table. The Ohene Djan sports stadium will see both old and current management and board members from both Kotoko and Hearts in a bit to give morale support to their teams and urge them to victory. This is very remarkable and needs to be commended. All hands on deck for now.

Former Kotoko player and current management chairman, Opoku Nti was speaking to the media this week and made it emphatically clear that he does not recall a season in which both Kotoko and Hearts are meeting in such a manner that a win by one, probably Kotoko, will so-to-say sink Hearts further to relegation. In his playing days for Kotoko and in football management, he can't remember such an incident happening. This is what makes this year's clash much more different from previous ones.

This year's clash will be the 102nd meeting between Hearts and Kotoko as history has it. Hearts has 34 wins whiles Kotoko has 31 with 36 ending in stalemate. Their meetings dates back to 1958 where they first met in Kumasi at Jackson Park. Hearts led Kotoko by 2-4 but the game ended abruptly and was rescheduled. Hearts won the replay by 2-5. In Accra, they have met 52 times with Hearts slightly on top with 15 wins and closely followed by 14 wins for Kotoko whiles 23 has ended in drawn games. The first ever meeting in Accra ended 2-4 in favour of Kotoko on Sunday 16th Nov,1958. In addition, since Ghana started the Premier League system in 1993/1994, they have met 40 times with Hearts of Oak having the lions share of 15 wins whiles Kotoko has 8. 17 has ended in stalemate. In their last 10 matches from 14th March 2010 to 7th Feb 2015, both have 3 wins and 4 ending in a draw with 11 goals being produced. This will be Kotoko's third visit to the capital city this season. They won 2-3 against relegation threaten Great Olympics and lost 3-1 to Liberty Professionals. In contrast, Hearts are yet to win a match against teams from Ashanti Region at their home grounds. They lost 1-2 to New Edubiase and drew 2-2 with league leaders Ashanti Gold. Hearts has played 12 home matches in the league so far. They have won 6, lost 2 and drawn 4. They have scored 19 goals and let in 11. Interestingly, Hearts has conceded the first goal in four matches of their last 5 matches in total. Except Heart of Lions which they managed to score first and won by 4-0, they conceded first against BA United, Hasaacas, Aduana, New Edubiase and lost on all occasions.

Kotoko on the other hand has played 12 league matches as guest this season. They have won 3, lost 5 and drawn 4. They have let in 16 goals and scored 14. One thing gaining grounds with Kotoko is that they are yet to score in their last two outings. Drew goalless with Medeama and lost by a goal to nil against WAFA.

Well, with these, missing this super clash and epic encounter will be unpardonable. There is everything to play for in this match as both are relegation threatened. Join me at the Ohene Djan stadium to witness this thrilling encounter. If not, sit behind your TV set and in the wake of the power fluctuation, get to a spot or a corner where there is power to catch a glimpse of it. Better still stay glue to your radio set for commentary as Kotoko and Hearts  dazzles us with skills, tenacity, agility and a beautiful kind of football on Sunday.

This is not to say Hearts and Kotoko's clash will be the only match to be played on Sunday. There will be seven other league matches across the various league centers but as big as their clash has been in previous years, it will always overshadow other league matches. This is one thing we have to humbly accept.

League leaders Ashanti Gold will meet Dansoman base Liberty Professionals at Obuasi to try and keep their title hopes alive. BA United will welcome Aduana FC in a regional derby at the Sunyani Coronation Park whiles Berekum Chelsea will be giving league leaders Ashanti Gold a hot chase in a bit to unseat them as they play at home to Medeama SC. Other matches include WAFA playing at home to Bechem United whiles Wa base Allstars welcome New Edubiase. Inter Allies who ended their eight run unbeaten matches to Aduana last week will seek a revival against another relegation threatened club Heart of Lions at the Tema Astro turf whiles Hasaacas plays Olympics at home.