PREVIEW: ASANTE KOTOKO VS HEARTS OF OAK SINCE 1954 AND IN THE GHANA LEAGUE FROM 1958.

* SUNDAY 29TH APRIL, 2018 IS THE 107TH MEETINGS BETWEEN THE TWO CLUBS IN THE LEAGUE AND IT WILL BE THE 189TH IN ALL TIME MEETINGS SINCE 8TH AUGUST 1954.

* SPORTS RESEACHERS: ISAAC AMPONSAH (DR IKE), DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS FOR BEREKUM CHELSEA FC AND BRIGHT YEBOAH TAYLOR OF NHYIRA FM HAVE COMPILED RESULTS OF CLASHES BETWEEN THE TWO TRADITIONAL CLUBS.

* ALL TIME MEETINGS SINCE 1954 – 188

*ALL TIME MEETINGS INSIDE KUMASI – 75*

* LET’S LOOK @ ALL TIME LEAGUE MEETINGS SINCE 1958.
Total matches played – 106 [LEAGUE GAMES]
Kotoko wins                 – 35
Hearts wins                  – 35
Drawn games               – 36

* HEAD-TO-HEAD @ KOTOKO HOME.
Total Matches played – 51
Kotoko wins                 – 18
Hearts wins                  – 18
Drawn games               – 15

NB: Their *FIRST league game* was played on 24th August, 1958 at the Sir Francis Jackson’s Park in kumasi but the match was abandoned in the 70′ minutes because Gargo Moro, a kotoko player who was sent off refused to go off the pitch. Hearts were leading 3-0 at 1st half and Kotoko used ten minutes to score 3 goals but Hearts made it 4-3.

*Replay* : This is now officially their *FIRST EVER* league game at Jackson Park now Jubilee Park on 2nd November, 1958.
Kotoko 2-5 Hearts
Scorers for Kotoko: Akwasi Amofa 20′ & Wilberforce Mfum 60′
Scorers for Hearts: Offei Dodoo 22′, Akutse Adamu 65′ & 75′, C.K Gyamfi (brace).

* This means that, Akwasi Amofa was the *FIRST* player to score a GOAL for Kotoko and Offei Dodoo was also the FIRST player to score for Hearts.
*NB*: Referee Ray Officiated the game.

* BOTH TEAMS PLAYERS IN THE 1958  SEASON:
*HEARTS*: GK. Aduquaye Laryea, Seth Adjei, CD Arthur, Nortey, Adu Darko, Charles Addo Odamptey, Offei Dodoo, Amadu Akutse, C.K Gyamfi, Agyiri Fynn, Nii Dawuna, Robinson,GK Lantey Mills, A.A Mampong. Coach Robert Oduro and Ken Harrison from Great Britain.

*KOTOKO*: GK. Kwao Baffoe, Gargo Moro, Kofi Nti Ainoo, Kwabena Dodzie [Boye Koka], Dogo Moro, Opoku Mensah, Baba Yara, Asebi Boakye, James Kwakye, S.K Awuah [Teacher Awuah], Salisu Mohammed, Kwame Adarkwah, Fred Akuffu, Wilberforce Mfum, Akwasi Amofa, Asumadu and J.K Manu, Kwaku Tawiah GK Botuo, Kobina Otu, Kobina Badu, K.Enning, E.Okine were all part of the Kotoko Registered squad.
*NB*:Coach Kobina Haghan and Coach Kwame Owusu

* LET’S TAKE A LOOK @ ALL LEAGUE MEETINGS IN THE KUMASI SPORTS STADIUM.
Total matches played – 47
Kotoko wins                  – 17
Hearts wins                  – 16
Drawn games               – 14

*NB*: [1958: 5-2 to Hearts at Jackson Park, 1959: 3-2 to Kotoko, 1961: 1-1 at Nkawkaw and 2006-07 game at Cape Coast which Hearts won 1-0 are all not included].

* *NB*: Kumasi Sports Stadium now Baba Yara Sports Stadium was built in 1959 but Asante kotoko started using it as their HOME grounds in 1960-61 season.

* The FIRST PLAYER to scored a goal at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium between the two was Baba Yara. Kotoko won 3-1.

* The Ghana Premier League was first introduced on 19th December, 1993 and it was 1993-94 season.

* HEAD-TO-HEAD SINCE THEN.
Total matches played – 45
Kotoko wins                 – 10
Goals scored               – 41
Hearts wins                 – 16
Goals scored               – 50
Drawn games              – 19

* LET’S LOOK @ ASANTE KOTOKO HOME GAMES AGAINST HEARTS OF OAK SINCE 1993-94 SEASON.
Total matches played – 22
Kotoko wins                 – 5
Goals scored                – 23
Hearts wins                  – 7
Goals scored                – 22
Drawn games               – 10

*NB*: In 2004 novelty league, it was only played in Accra as decider .

*NB*: The FIRST PREMIER LEAGUE game @ the Baba Yara Sports Stadium was a mid-week game on 7th January, 1994.
Kotoko 0-0 Hearts
*NB*: Kotoko coach was Malik Jabir.

*NB*: The FIRST PLAYER to score a goal in a Premier league game involving the two clubs at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium was Prince Amoako of Kotoko on 19th February, 1995.
Kotoko 3-1 Hearts
Kotoko scorers: Prince Amoako (brace) and Yaw Sakyi.
Hearts scorer: Abdul Mumuni.
*NB*: Referee Atotonu from Volta region.

*LET’S LOOK @ FIRST GOAL FACTOR IN KUMASI IN KOTOKO-HEARTS LEAGUE ENCOUNTER.*

* *NB*: Any team which scores first is more likely to carry the day.

* Since 8th December, 1985 (Sunday), when Hearts of Oak lost by 1-2 after scoring first, *NO team* has scored first in Kotoko-Hearts league encounters in Kumasi and lost.

Although the last time a team scored first without going home with a point in Kumasi was 10th August 1986. It was a sports council cup first leg. Hearts scored first but lost the game by two goals to one.

* 8th December, 1985 (Sunday) – Kumasi
Kotoko 2-1 Hearts
Scorers for Kotoko: Yussif Alhassan – 24th (pen) and John Bannerman -82nd
Hearts scorer: Isaac Ayipey – 12th (pen)

* So it was Hearts Of Oak who scored first on the 12th minutes before conceding the two goals.

*NOTE*: Abdul Razak missed penalty for Asante kotoko and there were two red cards in that game.

* 1987 : Kotoko 1-0 Hearts.
*Kotoko scored first*

* 1988 : Kotoko 2-2 Hearts
*Hearts scored first*.
*NB*: Violence broke out at the end of the match as Kotoko fans registered their disapproval at the performance of FIFA Ref. G.M. Affidzie over the award of the penalty to Hearts.

* 1989-90: Kotoko 1-2 Hearts.
*Hearts scored first*.

* 1991: Kotoko 0-1 Hearts
*Hearts scored first*.
*NB*: This match was named *“Angola Bed sheet match”*. Some Kotoko supporters came to the stadium holding blankets and towels-teasing Hearts who were alleged to have stolen bed sheets after amatch in Angola. Kotoko entered this match undefeated in 14 league matches and were hoping to end the first round undefeated.

*1992 : Kotoko 0-1 Hearts
*Hearts scored first*.

* 1993 : Kotoko 1-2 Hearts.
*Hearts scored first*.

*1994*: Kotoko 0-0 Hearts

* 1995: Kotoko 3-1 Hearts
*Kotoko scored first*.

* 1996: Kotoko 1-2 Hearts.
*Hearts scored first*.

* 1997-98: Kotoko 2–2 Hearts.
*Kotoko scored first*.

* 2000: Kotoko 1-1 Hearts.
*Hearts scored first*.

* 2001: Kotoko 2-0 Hearts.
*Kotoko scored first*.

* 2002: Kotoko 1-1 Hearts.
*Hearts scored first*.

*2003*: Kotoko 0-0 Hearts

* 2005: Kotoko 3-1 Hearts.
*Kotoko scored first*.

* 2006-07 : was played in Cape Coast

* 2007-08: Kotoko 3-3 Hearts.
*Kotoko scored first*.

* 2008-09: Kotoko 1-2 Hearts
*Hearts scored first*.

* 2010-11: Kotoko 0-1 Hearts.
*Hearts scored first*.

* 2011-12: Kotoko 2-1 Hearts
*Kotoko scored first*

*2012-13*: Kotoko 0-0 Hearts

*2013-14*: Kotoko 0-0 Hearts

* 2014-15: Kotoko 0-1 Hearts
*Hearts scored first*

* 2015-16: Kotoko 1-1 Heart
*Kotoko scored first*

* 2016-17 season
Kotoko 1-1 Hearts
*Hearts scored first*

*2017-18 season
*WHO WILL SCORE FIRST*?

*NB*: Out of the 26 matches, Hearts of Oak have scored first on 14 occasions while Arch-rivals Asante Kotoko have opened the flood gates on 8 occasions and 4 matches ended in a Goalless draw.

* LET’S LOOK @ THEIR *ALL-TIME* MEETINGS IN THE MONTH OF *APRIL* SINCE 1959.
Total matches played – 14
Kotoko wins                 – 6
Hearts wins                  – 3
Drawn games               – 5

* LET’S LOOK @ THEIR MEETINGS IN A *LEAGUE GAME* IN THE MONTH OF APRIL.
Total matches played – 10
Kotoko wins                 – 5
Goals scored – 17
Hearts wins                  – 2
Goals scored – 12
Drawn games               – 3

* *NB*: Do you know that Hearts Of Oak are yet to *beat* Asante Kotoko in Kumasi in the month of *April?*.

* *NB*: It has happened on 5 occasions and Hearts have lost all the games.

*Let’s See the games*
* 14th April, 1959 (Jackson Park)
Kotoko 3-2 Hearts

* 17th April, 1960
Kotoko 3-1 Hearts

* 10th April, 1966
Kotoko 1-0 Hearts

* 28th April, 1982
Kotoko 3-0 Hearts

* 15th April, 2012
Kotoko 2-1 Hearts

* LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT THE MATCH DATE *(29TH APRIL)*
* This will be the first 29th April *league* game between Kotoko and Hearts .

* Let’s look at both clubs games on 29th April.
* 29th April, 1984
Hearts 2-2 B/A United
Opoku Afriyie (brace)// Sam Boateng (brace)
* Cornerstone 1-2 Kotoko

* 29th April, 2001
Kotoko 3-0 Bofoakwa Tano
Goldfields 0-1 Hearts

* 29th April, 2007
Hearts 1-0 Arsenal
Kotoko 5-3 Olympics

29th April, 2012
Kotoko 0-0 Arsenal
New Edubiase 2-0 Hearts

* 29th April, 2015
Kotoko 4-0 Heart Of Lions
Ashanti Gold 1-1 Hearts

*#fact* : Asante Kotoko are yet to lose a league game in Ghana on 29th April.

*29TH DAY OF A MONTH MEETINGS*
* Hearts Of Oak are yet to *beat* Asante Kotoko on *29th Day* of every month in football meetings.
* *NB*: It has happened on 4 occasions.

*Let’s see*:
* 29th August, 1982
Hearts 0-2 Kotoko
George Kennedy brace

* 29th November, 1987
Kotoko 1-0 Hearts
Saarah Mensah

* 29th May, 1994
Hearts 0-0 Kotoko

* 29th October, 2017 (FA Cup Final in Tamale)
Hearts 1-3 Kotoko
Thomas Abbey// Saddick Adams hat-trick

* HEAD-TO-HEAD MEETINGS IN MATCH DAY 10.
Matches played – 4
Kotoko wins – 3
Hearts win – 1

* *NB*: Their last meeting in match Day 10 was 2nd May, 2016
Hearts 0-1 Kotoko
*NB*: Gk Abdoulaye Soulama scored own goal.

* The last match Day 10 game in *Kumasi* was 13th June, 1993. That is the last Amateur league season in Ghana.
Kotoko 1- 2 Hearts
Kotoko scorer: Joe Okyere
Hearts scorers: Bernard Aryee and Masawudu Alhasan.

* Famous match Day 10 game was 9th July, 1980
Hearts 0-3 Kotoko
Scorers: Opoku Afriyie, Francis Kumi and Kofi Badu.

* *Do You Know that, No team from Greater Accra have been able to beat Asante Kotoko in match day 10 since professional league started in Ghana?*.
It has happened on five (5) occasions.
* 1996-97 season
Kotoko 1-0 Olympics

* 2006-07 season
Kotoko 2-1 Real Sportive

* 2008-09 season
Tema Youth 1-2 Kotoko

* 2013-14 season
Kotoko 1-0 Liberty

* 2015-16 season
Hearts 0-1 Kotoko

* *NB*: Hearts of Oak against Ashanti Region clubs in match Day 10.

* Hearts have lost 3 games against teams based in Ashanti Region but they are yet to *lose in the Ashanti Region soil*.

* 1993-94 season
Hearts 0-2 Goldfields

* 1996-97 season
Hearts 1-0 King Faisal

* 2000 season
King Faisal 1-2 Hearts

* 2001 season
Adansiman 0-0 Hearts

* 2008-09 season
Hearts 2-1 AshantiGold

* 2012-13 season
Hearts 0-1 AshantiGold

* 2013-14 season
Hearts 1-1 King Faisal

* 2015-16 season
Hearts 0-1 Kotoko

* *NB*: Do you know that Asante Kotoko are yet to lose match day 10 game at home since 1994-95 league season. 8 wins and 2 drawn games.

*THE MAGIC OF SCOREBOARD FOR HEARTS OF OAK*
* *NB*: Do you know that, the last time Hearts lost in Kumasi when ever they started the game by defending the first half from Asokwa *(Scoreboard)* and went home with an empty handed was 26th November, 1995. They lost 2-1 .(Joe Debra and Joe Acheampong scored for Kotoko and Shamo Quaye scored the consolation for Hearts).

*THE MAGIC OF NUMBER 8*
* Do you know that Asante Kotoko are yet to *beat* Hearts of Oak in *Kumasi* when ever the year ends with 8?

* Hearts of Oak have managed to score at least 2 goals in those games.

* 1958: Kotoko 3-4 Hearts
*Replay*:
Kotoko 2-5 Hearts

* 1968: No league in Kumasi

* 1978: Kotoko 1-2 Hearts
* *NB*: Hearts of Oak used 9 men to beat Asante Kotoko.

* 1988: Kotoko 2-2 Hearts

* 1998: Kotoko 2-2 Hearts

* 2008: Kotoko 3-3 Hearts

*LET’S SEE THE WORLD CUP YEAR*
* The last time Asante Kotoko Sc managed a win in Kumasi over Hearts of Oak in a *World Cup year was April, 1982. Kotoko won 3-0.

* 1986: It was played in December 1985.

* 1990: Kotoko 1-2 Hearts

* 1994: Kotoko 0-0 Hearts

* 1998: Kotoko 2-2 Hearts

* 2002: Kotoko 1-1 Hearts

* 2006: It was played in Cape Coast and the two legs came after the World Cup.
The first round was December 2006 and the 2nd round was played on January 2007.

* 2010: Kotoko 0-1 Hearts**

* 2014: Kotoko 0-0 Hearts

* Let’s look @ the Center Referee Timothy Obuobisa from Koforidua (Eastern Region).

* Obuobisa is a police Instructor at the Koforidua Police Recruitment Training School.

* This will be his *first game* as a centre referee between the two clubs.
* He has been 4th Referee on two occasions for Kotoko-Hearts games.

* 2015 (President Cup)
Hearts 0-0 Kotoko
* *NB*: Hearts won 5-4 on penalties.
Referee Samuel K Gyasi
*NB*: 4th Referee : Timothy Obuobisa

* 2016 (President Cup)
Hearts 0-0 Kotoko
*NB*: Kotoko won 3-2 on penalties.
Referee: Awal Mohammed
*NB*: 4th Referee: Timothy Obuobisa

* Do you know that since 27th August, 1980, there has been *10 Referees from the Eastern Region* who have officiated Kotoko-Hearts games in Kumasi but Asante Kotoko have managed *just a win*?
* That was 15th May, 2005.
Kotoko 3-1 Hearts
Referee John Atikese from Koforidua.

* Asante Kotoko have so far kept 238 *CLEAN SHEETS* out of 533 games in the GPL since 1999.

* Hearts of Oak have so far kept 222 *CLEAN SHEETS* out 533 games in the GPL since 1999.

* Asante Kotoko have won the Ghana league title on 23 occasions since the competition started in 1958.

* Hearts of Oak have won the Ghana League title on 19 occasions since the competition started in 1958.

* Asante Kotoko worse performance in the Ghana league since 1958 is 11th out of 15-club league in the 1970 season.

* Hearts of Oak worse performance in the Ghana League since 1958 is 13th with 40 points in the 2014-15 season.

Credit: Isaac Amponsah (Dr Ike), Director of Communications for Berekum Chelsea FC (0208710190/0243740091) and Bright Yeboah Taylor of Nhyira Fm (0207663366)