The Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA) has confirmed that the 2022 edition of the annual President’s Cup will be a repetition of the Super Clash, with Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko going head-to-head for the second time in less than a month.
The game is scheduled for Friday, March 4 at the Accra Sports Stadium in what will be another battle between the two most successful clubs in the history of Ghana football.
According to a statement from GHALCA, the president, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo Addo is expected to grace the occasion, two days before Ghana marks its 65th Independent Anniversary on March 6.
“Hearts of Oak will battle rivals Asante Kotoko in the 2022 President Cup on Friday, March 4. The match will take place at the Accra Sports Stadium at 6 pm. His Excellency President @NAkufoAddo will do the ceremonial kick-off and presentation of medals”.
GHALCA
Rationale for the choice of the clubs
In an interview on an Accra-based radio station, GHALCA’s chairman, Cudjoe Fianoo explained the rationale behind choosing Kotoko and Hearts for the game.
“We play these matches to raise funds for the Association to execute our programs. In honouring the President, you need a fixture that can pull the crowd. Again, getting this thing together at this very short notice was not easy. And as we are all aware, we haven’t had this for the past three years now. So, the argument of why Hearts and Kotoko shouldn’t come in”.
Cudjoe Fianoo
The GHALCA chairman explained that football has the power to unite people but it’s also a business and as such, the two clubs are expected to get a share of the gate proceeds in addition to the appearance fee.
“Football is all about Business and at the same time to bring us together. So, the two clubs will take an appearance fee of 50,000 cedis each and then the gate proceeds will be shared. GHALCA, as an Organizer, will take 50% and the two clubs will take 25% each of the remaining 50%. There will be a trophy and other medals”.
Cudjoe Fianoo
Previous encounter between the two teams
The two clubs recently faced each other in an outstanding match day 7 fixture of the 2021/22 Ghana Premier League season with both teams failing to break the deadlock.
Both teams had decent chances to win the game but failed to utilize them. Richard Atta pulled some amazing saves to keep League Champions Hearts of Oak in the game as Asante Kotoko were also saved by the goalpost.
Hearts of Oak had a great start to the game with Daniel Afriyie Barnie and Kwadwo Obeng Junior posing some threats to the defense of the Porcupine Warriors but couldn’t find the back of the net as Obeng Junior saw his effort hit the post on the 13th minute-mark.
The draw means Asante Kotoko is now seven points clear at the top of the League log with 37 points – 7 points more than second placed Bechem United and will head into the second round of the season with a commanding lead. Hearts of Oak on the other hand, finished the first round with 25 points – 12 points behind their bitterest rivals Asante Kotoko and 7th on the League table.
READ ALSO: World Bank Group Unveils Five-Year Country Partnership Framework For Ghana
