Battle Fit For The gods

Accra Hearts of Oak’s turbulent season has reached its zenith, as was epitomised in last Wednesday’s goalless match against RTU. But Kotoko’s 2-0 victory over Tema Youth sends a strong signal as to where the pendulum is likely to swing at the Baba Yara Stadium on Sunday. This second leg El classico between Ghana’s two most glamorous clubs—Hearts and Kotoko—is a typical example of a tale of two teams, in that as Hearts are struggling to keep pace with the Onetouch Premier League, Kotoko’s headache has to do with the number of goals to score. Indeed, the standings (45 points to 24 points) on the league table further make Kotoko the overwhelming favourites, as was the case in the first leg at the Ohene Djan Stadium. Yet, strangely, Kotoko froze before their dominant fans and went home dejected. That episode, and many others, seem to have confirmed the popular perception that matches between the two teams always go beyond form. But will this 19th week outstanding epoch fixture follow the trend? Hearts of Oak’s Israeli trainer, Eyal Lachman, is under siege and could face the wrath of the fans if popular faces like Ishmael Addo, Charles Taylor, Jojo Bossman and Don Bortey miss out on the crunch duel. Apart from Bortey who seems to have rediscovered his form, Coach Lachman is still worried about the fitness level of the other high-profile players, yet the fans believe their fitness notwithstanding, Taylor and co are worth more than all the rest of the players combined. That certainly is the headache of the Israeli either to succumb to the various power blocs within the club or ignore them, damn the consequences. However, Kotoko’s ‘orchestra’ which was boosted by Kwadwo Poku’s two goals last Wednesday has further widened the options of the Porcupine Warriors for the kill. And with the magical touch of Stephen Oduro, coupled with the clinical finishes of Eric Bekoe who was rested by coach Bashir Hayford for Sunday’s game, Hearts could only be saved by the heavens. Coach Bash’s statement after the Tema Youth game of using it as a dress rehearsal appears to make their resolve louder. Two other outstanding matches would also be cleared on Sunday, one a 19th week fixture and the other a 20th week. Lions, one of the two clubs which contributed more players to the local Black Stars, necessitating the reschedule of their match, travel to Tamale to face RTU while Olympics square off with Sekondi Hasaacas at the Swedru Stadium in a 20th week outstanding.