Mireku Questions Sergio

Amankwah Mireku has questioned the tactical and technical abilities of Sergio Tranguil after watching two games of the Phobians with the Portuguese at the helm.

The ‘New Mourinho’ was on the bench for the Phobians drawn games against Liberty Professionals and Asante Kotoko (in the 2016 President’s Cup which they lost 3-2 on penalties).

Hearts of Oak under Sergio has dominated opponents but they fail to make use of their possession in the two matches and according to the former Skipper of the Phobians, the team’s undoing has been down to lack of tactical flexibility.

“His substitutions are not good. I realized it in the Hearts- Liberty game and also after the President’s cup game against Kotoko, I’m convinced his substitutions are not good,” he told Asempa FM.

Mireku also charged the players to go out of the way to win games for the club.

“Whether there is a coach or not, you have to play as a player of a team. So I don’t see Kenichi’s exit the cause for the defeat.”

“Hearts beat Dreams without Kenichi. If the players are determined to play, they will play.”

Hearts are preparing to play Aduana in a matchday 18 game of the Ghana Premier League.

Mireku Questions Sergio

Ollenu Savours Another Presidents’ Cup Glory

Accra Hearts of Oak forward Ashittey Ollenu sees the upcoming Presidents’ Cup match as another opportunity to win a trophy with the Phobians, and, is anticipating another success.

In last year’s edition of the annual one-off challenge cup game, Ollenu was part of the Hearts squad that defeated arch rivals Kumasi Asante Kotoko at the Accra Sports Stadium to lift the trophy.

The Phobians have been picked to defend their trophy against the same opposition in Accra on Friday, 1 July, 2016, and, it represents another opportunity for them to confirm their dominance over Kotoko in cup finals.

After starting the season with some worrying injury problems, Ollenu found his rhythm in the later part of the first round of the Ghana Premier League (GPL) season, and, played some crucial roles in seeing Hearts finish fourth at the half way point of the campaign, just two points behind the leaders.

“The Presidents’ Cup game with Asante Kotoko is very important to us, and, we will approach it with all seriousness as we aim to defend the trophy we won last season,” Ollenu told the club’s official newspaper, the Hearts News.

“It’s another opportunity to win some silverware this season, and, we will seek to make the most of this advantage and prove that we are indeed a cup winning team.”

Hearts lost to the Porcupines (0-1) in the first round of the GPL this season, and, that is something that is also on the mind of Ollennu and his colleagues.

“We lost to them in the league and that was unfortunate as we believe we did enough to have taken something out of that game,” he said, adding that the players have put that setback behind them and will approach the Presidents’ Cup game with renewed spirits hoping to make their fans happy.

“I want to see our fans in the stadium on 1 July and, I am confident that we will produce the required performance that will see us retain the trophy we won last year”.

“All that we seek is to make the fans happy and, if they are happy, then we (the players) are happy”. They should therefore support us at all times, and, we will strive hard to make them happy on any occasion”.

The Presidents’ Cup which is organized by the Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA), and is a one-off cup game played in honour in Ghana’s sitting President at any time. It is played on 1 July each year which is Ghana’s Republic Day.

 

 

Ollenu Savours Another Presidents’ Cup Glory

Kotoko Confirm President"s Cup Participation

Management has confirmed Kotoko’s participation in the 2016 Presidential Cup match against arch rivals Hearts of Oak at the Accra Sports Stadium on July 1.

General Manager, Opoku Nti, in a brief interview with Asantekotokosc.com, disclosed that, the Porcupines would honour the cup game. “The match is going to be in honour of the President. We’ve confirmed our participation. Kotoko will be in Accra for it with the objective of winning” said Opoku Nti.

The Republic Day Super Clash will thus be coming off almost two months after the sworn rivals clashed in a league fixture in Accra on May 2. Kotoko triumphed over Hearts in that particular game by a lone goal.

If the fixtures for the second round of the 2015/16 Premier League are to be taken as they are, the Republic Day Super Clash will be played only nine days before the two teams meet again at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi for their second league fixture.

Source: Asantekotokosc.com

Kotoko Confirm President"s Cup Participation

Super Clash Was Boring - Razak

Kumasi Asante Kotoko legend, Abdul Razak Karim has described the ‘Super Clash’ as a boring game.

According to him, neither Hearts nor Kotoko put up a performance worth the magnitude of the game.

“Like I told you before the match, Kotoko have good individual players but as a team, they have a lot of work to do,” Abdul Razak told SportsCrusader.com.

“Hearts are a good as a unit, but lack that individual player who can change a game for you,” he noted.

On whether he was impressed with the biggest game in the calendar of Ghana football, he said:

“None of the teams played good football. No individual player was excellent on the day. The stadium was full because of the magnitude of the game, but I got bored. I could see that they were just sitting down.

“The players are supposed to keep fans on their feet with good football, but we didn’t see that. Both coaches have a lot of work to do.

“These are the two best clubs in Ghana and the teams should always be able to entertain the fans,” he added.

Kotoko stole the win following a howler by Hearts goalie Soulama Abdoulaye. Hearts flew out of their blocks, but the performance was not impressive.

Super Clash Was Boring - Razak

Hearts - Kotoko Has Its Own Pressure

The biggest game in Ghana’s domestic football calendar, that is, games between Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko comes with it’s own pressure, according to Kotoko legend, Abdul Razak Karim.

The result either bring joy or tears to their respective faithfuls, thus, adding some pressure to the men assigned to represent the masses who follow them.

“Matches involving Hearts of Oak and Kotoko are special. They are matches every player wants to play,” the 2003-04 Ghana premier league winner told Sports Crusader.

Football pundits believe games between the giants is not influenced by current performance. Abdul Razak agrees with that assertion, but says it comes with it’s own pressure.

“Your coaches will tell you to see it as a normal game, but I must add that it has it’s own pressure. There’s pressure in all the players, the coaches and even the fans.

“You feel that pressure of desire and the hunger to win at all cost. When I was a player, that pressure was there, and when I took over the team (in 2003-04 season), it was not different.” He said.

Accra Hearts of Oak is second on the league log with 18 points, 2 less than leaders Wa All Stars, while Kotoko is 9th.

Hearts - Kotoko Has Its Own Pressure

Kotoko Not Underdogs - Nti

The General Manager of Kumasi Asante Kotoko, Samuel Opoku Nti insist the Porcupine Warriors, will not be a walkover when they play Hearts of Oak on Monday.

Hearts of Oak, have had a blistering start to the 2015-16 Ghana premier league (GPL), while his outfit have been struggling.

But Opoku Nti believes the Porcupine Warriors have what it takes to silence Hearts at their home grounds, noting that Kotoko would emerge winners if they take their chances.

‘’We played well against New Edubiase, the fact that we lost doesn’t mean we didn’t play well. I think we didn’t take our chances. Kotoko and Hearts matches anything can happen. I don’t think Hearts are favourites. Hearts are not favourites, I won’t buy it,’’ he said on Luv FM

He called on the supporters to rally behind the team.

‘’They should remember the team in their prayers and keep their fingers cross, we believe that at the end of the day we will come out with flying colours after 90 minutes.’’

Kotoko have secured two victories against Hearts at the Accra Sports Stadium since 2009, with the rest ending in draws.

Last season, they recorded a 2-1 victory over Hearts Of Oak.

Kotoko Not Underdogs - Nti

Kotoko"s Motivation Package

The playing body of Kumasi Asante Kotoko will earn GH¢ 2000.00 each if they they beat Accra Hearts of Oak.

The Porcupine Warriors who have been a pale shadow of themselves in the 2015-16 Ghana premier league (GPL), will visit their bitter rivals, Hearts of Oak on Monday.

Matches between the two glamorous clubs in Ghana domestic football history go beyond 90 minutes of football.

And Life Patron and management have promised each player GH¢ 2000.00.

The life patron, Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II promised each player earlier today that he will give each player GH¢1000.00, and management also promised the same amount.

There is special package in place, but according to Sportscrusader sources, the package will only be unveiled should they win.

Kotoko"s Motivation Package

Kenichi Factor Will Beat Kotoko- Quaye

Former Hearts of Oak defender, Dan Quaye says the success of his former employers in the upcoming Super Cup against rivals, Asante Kotoko will be down to Kenichi Yatsuhashi.

Hearts of Oak is having their best start to a season in almost a decade, after winning five drawing three and losing one of their nine games this season, placing them second on the league log with 18 points, two behind leaders, Wa All Stars.

Quaye believes Kenichi Yatsuhashi has had an effect on the play of Hearts of Oak, thus, his factor will be decisive in the game on Monday.

“The coach of Hearts is the reason why Kotoko would beat Hearts on Monday. The Asians are workaholic. When you go to Japan, China, etc they work very hard and that is what the coach has introduced to Hearts of Oak.

“In the second half that a team is expected to be declining that is when Hearts of Oak peak and play as if the game has just begun and all credit to the coach,” he told Accra based Happy FM.

Hearts of Oak are tipped by many football faithful to carry the day, due to their impressive form this season coupled with their win against AshGold at Obuasi, the day after Kotoko had been shocked at home by New Edubiase United in Kumasi.

However, Kotoko are unbeaten in their last five league visits to Accra against Hearts of Oak. They’ve won three and drawn two.

Kenichi Factor Will Beat Kotoko- Quaye

Form Don"t Count In Super Clash - Abdul Razak

Former Asante Kotoko player and coach, Abdul Razak ‘Golden Boy’ says matches between the Porcupine Warriors and Hearts of Oak has nothing to do with the current form of either side.

The two most glamorous clubs in the history of Ghana football, have had contrasting performances this season.

Hearts of Oak are flying high after nine games, acquiring 18 points from a possible 27. However, their bitterest rivals had their worst start to a season in 42 years.

The two teams will meet for the first time this season, and football pundits expect the Rainbow colours to whitewash the Porcupine Warriors.

But the former Stade Malien head coach is adamant Hearts will not find it easy on Monday.

“Matches between Hearts and Kotoko go beyond form. This game means a lot to the players, the coaches, fans and even former players. Every player will want to play in a match like this,” Abdul Razak told Sportscrusader.com.

“The determination the players come on to the field with makes it a different game. The side with the best form on the day wins. You can win all your matches against other teams but when they meet, your form won’t count,” he noted.

Form Don"t Count In Super Clash - Abdul Razak

Nii Adjei Backs Kotoko To Beat Hearts

Former skipper of Kumasi Asante Kotoko, Daniel Nii Adjei has thrown his weight behind his former employers to beat high-flying Accra Hearts of Oak in their Ghana Premier League (GPL) Match-Day 10 Super Clash in Accra.

The Porcupines Warriors are not on a good run this year, but the TP Mazembe midfielder has backed them to amass all three points on Monday.

“I know Kotoko is not performing well in the league but on Monday 2 May, they will win the match against Hearts because I believe the boys will lift up the porcupine spirit and fight for victory. Good luck to you guys!” He wrote on his Facebook page.

Daniel Nii Adjei captained Kotoko to win the GPL in 2012-13 season before joining TP Mazembe.

Nii Adjei Backs Kotoko To Beat Hearts

Kotoko Players Promised Special Package

The playing body and technical team of Kumasi Asante Kotoko have been promised a special package should they beat Accra Hearts of Oak in Monday’s Super Clash in Accra.

Asante Kotoko is ninth on the Premier League log with 11 points with the Phobians in second position with 18.

However, the Porcupine Warriors seem to be on a resurgence after management asked David Duncan to step aside until further notice after a series of poor results.

They won three of their post-Duncan era matches in all competitions, and management have promised the team a special package for a win over their arch rivals.

The playing body have not been told what the package is, but Sportscrusader.com can confirm that the team will earn twice their current winning bonus should they edge out Hearts.

Kotoko Players Promised Special Package