GhanaFA

Kotoko, Hearts set for Top 4 clash

14 years ago
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Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak would put their faltering starts in the MTN Top 4 competition aside when both sides clash on Sunday in Kumasi.

Both sides were beaten at home by Heart of Lions and King Faisal on Wednesday night as the lucrative off-season competition for the premiership's top four placed clubs kicked off.

But ahead of their clash, both camps would have enough work to do to boost their chances of claiming another Top 4 title.

Bernard Don Bortey gave the Phobians a 7th minute lead but Lions were on hand to expose Hearts' weaknesses as they went on to win 2-1.

Hearts' lead was cut after six minutes when Kweku Andoh connected a pull-out to draw Lions level.

The second half saw both sides make a host of substitutions but Lions seemed to have benefited from the changes as Ibrahim Andoh scored the winner from a corner kick.

At the Baba Yara Stadium, the story was no different for the Asante Kotoko who also suffered a 2-1 loss to city rivals King Faisal.

Faisal, coached by former Kotoko assistant Isaac 'Opeele' Boateng opened the scoring in the opener after 38 minutes through Prince Arko.

Kotoko, featuring some new players, responded and had the equalizer in the 72nd minute through Samad Oppong who scored from a spot kick against his former side.

Despite the equalizer, King Faisal had other ideas as Prince Arko registered his second on the night to hand his side the bragging rights when he scored in the 76th minute.

Faisal however finished the game with ten men after Awudu Nafiu was sent off for striking Samad Oppong in the 79th minute.

All four competing sides are past winners of the competition.

The next round of matches would see Hearts of Oak renew their rivalry with Kotoko when both sides clash at the Baba Yara Stadium on Sunday while King Faisal take on Heart of Lions in Accra.

The annual tourney pits the top four sides at the end of the premiership league season together.