Tension Grips Kumasi…As Hearts, Kotoko Clash

ALL ROADS lead to the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi tomorrow when the two most accomplished sides in the country, Kotoko and Hearts go to the battlefield in a duel described by connoisseurs of the game as Ghana’s version of ‘El Classico’. Already, tension is at a bubbling point in the Garden City between followers of the two most glamorous clubs, as supporters engage in hot arguments as to which of the two would carry the day. Wherever you go in Kumasi, be it drinking spots, offices, or in taxis, the main topic of discussion within the last three days has been which of the two sides would come up tops on Sunday. On paper, in-form Kotoko who are firmly seated at the apex of the league ladder, being led in attack by the remorseless predator Eric Bekoe are overwhelming favourites to win the titanic clash. But since matches between the two clubs are not always determined by current form, with the goalless drawn game between the two teams in the first round as a yardstick, tomorrow’s match would be a ding-dong affair and the side that is more determined could come out victorious. Though Hearts has of late found Kotoko a hard nut to crack in Kumasi matches, the Porcupine Warriors could laugh at the wrong sides of their mouths if they downplay the might of the Phobians who have stars like Don Bortey in their fold. As characterized by Kotoko/Hearts matches, reports are that management of both teams have seriously started some superstitious dealings known in local parlance as ‘Juju’, in a bid to carry the day. A section of supporters of both clubs who called in radio programmes accused each other of trying to plant juju at the stadium so as to get undue advantage over the other on Sunday. Whilst the Kotoko supporters alleged that Hearts’ management are using a Golf 4 vehicle to visit the stadium in the night to perform their juju, Hearts supporters on the other hand accused Kotoko management of using other means to get supernatural help. It would be recalled that a fisticuff ensued between the reserve players of the two teams over juju allegations during half-time when Hearts hosted Kotoko in Accra in the first round. Juju or no juju, the match would be a dicey affair which would be very difficult to predict, but it is expected that the better team would leave the Baba Yara Stadium with the three maximum points at stake.