Asante Kotoko assistant head coach, Akakpo Patron, says that despite the team’s preparations for the Super Clash against Hearts this Sunday in the Ghana Premier League, the tie will still be very close.
Most pundits have often stated that the form guide favours no team ahead of the clash.
Akakpo believes that the trend is likely to continue and that his players will have to be on top their game if they will get a good result on Sunday.
“Both teams have gone through some inconsistent period this season but maybe, our situation might be a bit better than Hearts’.
However, matches between these two teams are dependent on the atmosphere and other factors and anything can happen. It can go either way but we have prepared and we are ready.
We will go for it and try to get the points.”
Asante Kotoko will be buoyed by their 2-0 win at Wa All Stars in the last round and they will be expected to build on that to get the victory.
In that vein, Patron wants his players to stay relaxed and use their previous knowledge of Hearts of Oak to get victory for the fans.
“We are not under pressure. We have to take it easy and play. I keep telling the players to recognise that the players at Hearts of Oak are no strangers and they know who their direct opponents will be.
If I were playing, I would see the tie as any other match because I know who will play for Hearts. At the end of the day, it all depends on the mental strength and capacity.
For sure, we will carry the day.”
Last season (on August 6, 2017), the tie ended 1-1 in Kumasi. Kwame Kizito put the Hearts in the lead but Saddick Adams responded for the Reds.
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By: Nathan Quao/citifmonline.com/Ghana