Good afternoon and welcome to the live text commentary of the second Super Clash of the 2021/22 Ghana Premier League season.
Ghanaian giants, Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak are set to lock horns this afternoon at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.
This game is serving as a matchday 24 encounter of the ongoing Ghanaian top-flight league and could decide the team that would eventually emerge as champions of the season.
Ahead of kick-off in an hour’s time, the footballghana team is on standby to provide a minute-by-minute update of the action as it happens at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
@AsanteKotoko_SC team’s arrival here at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium #SuperClash#GPLwk24 pic.twitter.com/ZPeObbSsxz
— Ghana Premier League (@GhanaLeague) April 10, 2022
📸 Pictures of @HeartsOfOakGH dressing room 👕#SuperClash#GPLwk24 pic.twitter.com/qZGRBGd69f
— Ghana Premier League (@GhanaLeague) April 10, 2022
The official team sheets for the two clubs are finally out as we approach kick-off. Who wins this mounthwatering fixture?
🎥| Warm-up time! @AsanteKotoko_SC ⚽️🏃🏽#SuperClash #AKSC 🔴⚪️#GPLwk24 pic.twitter.com/Rij25RpXXi
— Ghana Premier League (@GhanaLeague) April 10, 2022
Kick-off:
1' We are off at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium. It is Hearts of Oak with the first kick of the ball. Game on!!
2' CHANCE! Asante Kotoko threatens for the first time in the game. A poor clearance falls to Fabio Gama but his headed effort is dealt with.
3' Defender Imoro Ibrahim sees his shot hit the foot of the goal post. That was close. A lively start for the home team.
5' Danlad Ibrahim is called to duty and he parries Awako’s in-swinging cross away to safety. Good play from both teams so far in the first half.
6' Asante Kotoko attempt the counter attack. George Mfefue tries to thread through a pass but Mohammed Alhassan smartly intercepts.
8' The hosts so far dominating the clash and enjoying the lion's share of possession. Hearts of Oak not playing badly though. This is anybody's game to win.
10' No goal in the first 10 minutes of the second Super Clash of the 2021/22 Ghana Premier League season.
12' Gama twist and turns and lobs the ball through for Mbella, but goalkeeper Richmond Ayi comes quickly and tips it over for a corner. The resulting kick is cleared. The Brazilian has been lively in midfield so far.
15’ Penalty!! Referee Kennedy Pady has awarded a penalty to Kotoko after Nurudeen (Hearts) brought Gama down in the box. This is indeed a controversial one but it is given and Kotoko have the chance to take the lead.
16' Goal!!! The deadlock of the game is broken. Frank Mbella Etouga converts the penalty kick to give the hosts the lead.
GOAL!! Asante Kotoko 1-0 Hearts of Oak [ Frank Mbella 17’ (pen) ]#GPLwk24 #to pic.twitter.com/Juk5LVmGFz
— Ghana Premier League (@GhanaLeague) April 10, 2022
18' Oh great support from the Hearts of Oak fans. The spectators in rainbow colours are cheering loud in the stands to push the team on.
20' Great play from Hearts of Oak down the right flank. Gladson Awako sends in a cross but it is dealt with.
22' CHANCE! Asante Kotoko comes forward again. A lofted pass is intercepted by goalkeeper Richmond Ayi.
24' Daniel Afriyie Barnieh wins a free kick for Hearts of Oak in a danegrous position. Gladson Awako delivers a good ball but the Kotoko defenders clear the danger.
27' Another free-kick to Hearts of Oak in a good position. Sheriff Mohammed is shown the yellow card for a foul on Salim Adams. Salim Adams tries his shot from distance but no power in there. Kotoko wins back possession.
30' Richmond Ayi is called into action again. Fabio Gama tries to dink one into the top corner but the Hearts of Oak goalkeeper stretches to punch the ball. The resulting corner is wasted by the Reds.
33' Hearts of Oak are forced to make a substitution. Injured Robert Addo Sowah is replaced by Caleb Amankwah.
35' Boos from the Asante Kotoko fans. A foul awarded to Hearts of Oak is regarded as unfair by the referee. The decision stands.
40' We are into the last five minutes of the first half. Meanwhile, a second yellow card has been flashed to Kotoko defender Christopher Nettey.
42' CHANCE! Hearts of Oak with an opportunity to score. Fatawu Mohammed is on the end of it but his effort flies over the bar. Poor effort.
45' We will do just three minutes of injury time.
45+3' Hearts of Oak awarded a penalty kick. Finance chance to draw parity. Gladson Awako takes but the Kotoko defense clears the danger.
Halftime: That will be all the action in the first half. We are back after 15 minutes with the second half action.
Second Half underway:
46' Asante Kotoko have kicked us off for the second half of this Super Clash. The controversial penalty kick from the first half remains the difference.
47' Maxwell Agyemang is down in pain, but he’s been attended to by the medical team. He may have to be changed. Big worry on the faces of the Asante Kotoko technical team.
49' A series of attacks launched on the Asante Kotoko defense. Can the Hearts of Oak press pay off?
50' Great start from Hearts of Oak in the second half. Meanwhile, injured Maxwell Agyemang is replaced by Mudasiru Salifu.
52’ Mbella is fouled, but referee waves play-on. Mfegue takes over possession but he’s brought down. Free-kick Kotoko. Imoro takes it but high over the crossbar.
56’ Gama receives a return pass from Mfegue but he skies his effort.
60' We have reached the hour mark in this tough contest between the two rivals of Ghanaian football. It remains Asante Kotoko 1, Hearts of Oak, 0.
62' Kwadwo Obeng Jnr commits a needless foul after wrestling Richard Boadu to the ground. He receives a yellow card for that offense.
63 Hearts of Oak prepares to make a change. Patrick Razak replaces Isaac Mensah. In addition, Gladson Awako makes way for Samuel Inkoom.
66’ Richard Boadu has been shown a yellow card for a foul on Nurudeen.
68’ Gama with a Golden Opportunity to make two but he side nets it.
70' Mfegue dummies Salim Adams and sends in a teasing cross with nearly beat Ayi, but he manages to tip it over for a corner. The resultant corner is out for a throw-in.
75' The game has dragged a bit in the last five minutes. A lot of tired legs in there. Kotoko remains in the lead as we approach the final 10 minutes of the contest.
80' Time no more on the side of Hearts of Oak. Can the Phobians salvage a point?
82' There has been a substitution. Emmanuel Keyekeh has replaced Fabio Gama in the Asante Kotoko midfield.
85' We are into the last five minutes of the game. Hearts of Oak continue to push for the equalizer but so far no breakthrough.
90' We will do just 5 minutes of additional time.
Full Time; It is all over at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium. Asante Kotoko amass three big points after seeing off Hearts of Oak with a 1-0 win.