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“Our high pressing football made us tired” Samuel Boadu reveals why Hearts players were struggling

The Phobians could not maintain the tempo they started with against Kotoko in the Super Clash and their boss has shed light on the reasons behind it

Hearts of Oak coach Samuel Boadu has explained why his charges struggled at a point to contain Asante Kotoko in the goalless draw in the Super Clash on Sunday at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Although, Hearts had a better start as compared to Kotoko, with Gladson Awako and Obeng Junior having several chances, they failed to make them count and later had to defend to keep Kotoko at bay.

And Boadu has revealed that his charges were tired at a point due to the pressing game they initially played.

Midfielder Sulley Muntari was ever present in Hearts set up but he was later substituted after picking up a yellow card to prevent him from seeing red card.

Kotoko still lead Ghana Premier League log with 37 points, seven points better than Bechem United who are in second position while they are twelve points better than Hearts of Oak.

Watch and listen to Samuel Boadu’s comments after the Super Clash

“It’s not our best game but Kotoko can’t defeat even Auroras if I’m the coach,” Samuel Boadu fires back at Prosper Ogum

The Phobians boss has rejected suggestions that they have now played their best game so far this season

Hearts of Oak coach Samuel Boadu has rejected suggestions that the game against Asante Kotoko was their best performance so far this season.

The Phobians shared the spoils goalless with Kotoko at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday and Prosper Ogum Narteh claimed he was happy to have pushed Hearts to come up with their best performance as the first round came to an end today.

“We played very well and because of our level of football, you can see that Hearts of Oak upped their game for the first time this season and it was good for Ghana Premier League,” Ogum said at Post Match Conference.

However, reacting to this claims, Boadu feels that assertion is not accurate since Legon Cities remain the toughest opponents they’ve faced so far this season.

“This is not true although we did well. This game was not one of our best games so far. I believe our best game of the first round was against Legon Cities,” Boadu said.

“If we had even used our junior team (Auroras) against them today, Kotoko can still not score us,” he added.

WATCH THE SAVES, MISSED CHANCES & Sulley Muntari’s performance

Hearts, who have 25 points, trail Kotoko twelve points after the first round and would hope to return to winning ways at the start of the second half of the season which kicks off next weekend.

Hearts of Oak 0-0 Asante Kotoko: watch all the saves, missed chances & Sulley Muntari’s yellow card

The Phobians’ winless streak continued as they laboured to hold Asante Kotoko in the Super Clash at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday

Hearts of Oak could not break down th resilience defence of Asante Kotoko as they shared the spoils goalless in matchday seven outstanding game of Ghana Premier League at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Prior to kick off of this game, Samuel Boadu made two changes in his side that drew with RTU last weekend as they hoped to return to winning ways.

Meanwhile, Kotoko coach Prosper Ogum Narteh made three changes in his starting XI. Georges Mfegue, Imoro Ibrahim and Mudasiru started ahead of Samuel Boateng, Patrick Asmah and Justice Blay respectively.

Watch all major highlights of Hearts vs Kotoko in Accra

Hearts had the first opportunity to beeak the deadlock by the tenth minute through a corner kick but Kotioko defender Mubarik Yussif blocked the effort.

Seven minutes later, Daniel Afriyie Barnieh set up Obeng Jnr but his shot was denied by the goal post.

Kotoko had their real opportunity to break the deadlock on 37th minute when Mfegue played Etouga Mbella through but the 20-year-old could not make the most out of it.

Kotoko came close to open the score after the break after Richmond Lamptey connected a pass from Asmah but his last ditch effort was saved by goalkeeper Richard Attah who picked up an injury in the process.

Both sides had several half chances but they could not break down the defence of their opponents.

Kotoko lead the Premier League log after the first round with 37 points, seven points ahead of Bechem United who sit second and twelve points above Hearts of Oak.

Hearts of Oak 0-0 Asante Kotoko: Phobians hold Porcupine Warriors in Super Clash

The Phobians’ winless streak continued as they laboured to hold Asante Kotoko in the Super Clash at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday

Hearts of Oak shared the spoils goalless with Asante Kotoko in the matchday seven outstanding game of Ghana Premier League at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Ahead of the game, Samuel Boadu made two changes in his side that drew with RTU last weekend as they hoped to return to winning ways.

Meanwhile, Kotoko coach Prosper Ogum Narteh made three changes in his starting XI. Georges Mfegue, Imoro Ibrahim and Mudasiru started ahead of Samuel Boateng, Patrick Asmah and Justice Blay respectively.

https://youtu.be/LNMjmp9pHlI

Hearts had the first opportunity to beeak the deadlock by the tenth minute through a corner kick but Kotioko defender Mubarik Yussif blocked the effort.

Seven minutes later, Daniel Afriyie Barnieh set up Obeng Jnr but his shot was denied by the goal post.

Kotoko had their real opportunity to break the deadlock on 37th minute when Mfegue played Etouga Mbella through but the 20-year-old could not make the most out of it.

Kotoko came close to open the score after the break after Richmond Lamptey connected a pass from Asmah but his last ditch effort was saved by goalkeeper Richard Attah who picked up an injury in the process.

Both sides had several half chances but they could not break down the defence of their opponents.

Kotoko lead the Premier League log after the first round with 37 points, seven points ahead of Bechem United who sit second and twelve points above Hearts of Oak.

Hearts of Oak & Asante Kotoko release OFFICIAL LINE UP; several changes in starting XI

Ahead of the Super Clash, the two clubs have released their official matchday squad for the game

Hearts have made two changes in their squad for the Super Clash against Kotoko in Ghana Premier League at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday.

Striker Obeng Junior and centre back Mohammed Alhassan come in for Caleb Amankwah and Isaac Mensah respectively.

Sulley Muntari has maintained his place in the Hearts’ starting XI despite concerns about his fitness.

On the other hand, Kotoko have made three changes in their squad for the Super Clash with Cameroonian striker George Mfeuge coming in after missing the game against Accra Lions last weekend.

Also, defender Imoro Ibrahim and midfielder Mudasiru Salifu have also been handed starting roles.

As a result, Samuel Boateng, Justice Blay and Patrick Asmah have been dropped.

Check out the final Starting XI:

Kotoko players & coaches touch down at Accra Sports Stadium with ‘usual’ bus ahead of Hearts clash

The Porcupine Warriors arrived at the Accra Sports Stadium for the Super Clash in a normal style unlike their hosts

Asante Kotoko touched down at the Accra Sports Stadium Sunday afternoon for the Super Clash against Hearts of Oak with their usual team bus.

Unlike Hearts, who initially landed with their old Coastal bus before the bus for the first team players arrived, Kotoko came with only one bus and did not have to spend more time at the gate.

Kotoko team bus arrival at Accra Sports Stadium

Kotoko lead Ghana Premier League table with 36 points, 12 points better than Hearts of Oak as the first half of the season comes to the end today.

Hearts of Oak players arrive Accra Sports Stadium with Coastal bus ahead of Super Clash [VIDEO]

The Phobians opted not to use their Phobian Bird vehicle but arrived at the Accra Sports with a coastal bus

Hearts of Oak will host Asante Kotoko in Ghana Premier League at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday and they arrived at the venue with a coastal bus rather than their usual Phobian Bird.

A lot of rituals were reportedly done at the entrance by some supporters before they entered the facility to prepare themselves for the much-anticipated fixture.

The game, which was initially scheduled for November last year, was postponed due to Hearts’ participation in Caf Confederation Cup playoffs against Algerian side JS Saoura.

Although, only 25 per cent of the stadium capacity was approved by government initially, it was later confirmed that the stadium can take its full capacity.

Therefore, over 30,000 tickets have been printed and a lot of fans have been spotted at the stadium buying tickets.

Kotoko lead Ghana Premier League table with 36 points, twelve points above Hearts at the end of the first round.

Thousands of Hearts & Kotoko fans throng to Accra Sports Stadium ahead of Super Clash [VIDEO]

Ahead of the Super Clash, many fans of both sides have already arrived at the venue hours before kick off

Hearts of Oak will host Asante Kotoko in Ghana Premier League at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday

The game, which was initially scheduled for November last year, was postponed due to Hearts’ participation in Caf Confederation Cup playoffs against Algerian side JS Saoura.

Although, only 25 per cent of the stadium capacity was approved by government initially, it was later confirmed that the stadium can take its full capacity.

Therefore, over 30,000 tickets have been printed and a lot of fans have been spotted at the stadium buying tickets.

Hearts and Kotoko supporters at Accra Sports Stadium

Kotoko lead Ghana Premier League table with 36 points, twelve points above Hearts at the end of the first round.

Hearts coach Samuel Boadu is under pressure to win the game after going two games without a victory.

Government changes directives as 40,000 supporters will watch Hearts vs Kotoko

The biggest game of the calendar has been given a green light to see more spectators than earlier expected following new directives from government

Hearts of Oak vs Asante Kotoko will have around 40,000 spectators watching it live from the Accra Sports Stadium according to a new directive from Ghana government, ASHESGYAMERA.Com can confirm.

Initially, 25 per cent of the capacity at the stadium was given to Hearts to print tickets for, however, a new directive has been issued on Friday evening.

According to National Sports Authority boss Peter Twumasi, government has agreed after a consultation meeting with Ghana Medical Association that about 90 per cent of the stadium can be opened to spectators for the Super Clash since COVID-19 is on the decline in the country.

“After several back and forth, government has agreed that spectators can be fully allowed to enter the sports stadium on Sunday for the Super Clash between Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko,” NSA boss Peter Ofori Twumas said in an interview with AshesGyamera.com.

“However, all COVID-19 protocols must be observed in order to curb down the spread of the disease. This is the biggest game in Ghana Premier League and all measures must be put in place in order to have a safe atmosphere for everyone who wishes to be at that stadium,” he added.

Hearts, who are playing as hosts, trail their visitors by 12 points and would hope to win and reduce the gap in their attempt to successfully defend the Ghana Premier League trophy.

Eric Bekoe reveals what he will do for Mbella to break GPL record ahead of Hearts clash

The former Porcupine Warriors striker has revealed that he is ready to fast for the Cameroonian striker to succeed

Former Asante Kotoko striker Eric Bekoe says he is ready to fast for Cameroonian striker Etuoga Mbella Frank Thierry to succeed following a splendid start at the club.

The 20-year-old has bagged eleven goals after only 12 games and currently lead the Premier League topscorer’s chart.

And Bekoe, who scored 17 goals during the 2007/08 season, believes the youngster have what it takes to break his record at the end of the season.

“Even if it has take fasting for the Cameroonian (Mbella) to break my record, I will do it. After watching his first match, I said this guy was in for glory because his composure in the 18-yard box is exceptional,” Bekoe said in an interview with Kumasi-based Ashh FM.

“I wish the boy (Etouga) was a Ghanaian. Ghana lack box-box strikers like him but all the credit should go to two players, Lamptey and Mfegue. It’s like Kwabena Yaro and Eric Bekoe chemistry, I dove my hat for him always, he’s the reason I made my name at Asante Kotoko because I didn’t know how to dribble, mine was just the finishing. 

“It’s been a while since I went to stadium but because of Mbella, I will be at stadium this weekend, I want to go and see my style, what I mean is that, at first when you were going to stadium you had one particular player you were going to watch but it’s hard to find such today so since we have such a prominent striker, forget about the fact that we are playing away, let’s go and support our own which is Mbella”

“This is a player to watch, I’ve not had any contact with him but I love him from afar and he’s a boy who deserve all our prayers to clinch the goalking. He has already set a record if my memory serves me right as the only Kotoko striker to score two hat tricks in a season”

“It will take huge money to keep this guy (Mbella) even in the second round, let’s face the fact. Let’s force him to marry here (Kumasi) so he doesn’t leave us,” Bekoe jokingly said.

 “Kwame Opoku wasn’t a box-box striker, he’s the Ronaldo type of a striker who always want to play but we’ve now gotten another Eric Bekoe in the shape of Mbella, he doesn’t exert much energy to play but he’s always at the right place at the right time.

“Mbella is a sensational striker and his type of striking is rare in the system and I always tell my brother at the home that, I pray he doesn’t get injured until the season ends. Injuries worry players’ career, had it not been that, maybe, I would be playing Real Madrid or any other top teams by now,” he added.

Mbella is expected to start on Sunday when Kotoko face Hearts of Oak in the Super Clash.