Veteran Coach JE Sarpong shares Hearts-Kotoko expectations

Veteran Ghanaian Coach Joseph Emmanuel Sarpong says he is anticipating a very good game between Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko on Sunday.

The two sides meet in Ghana’s biggest club game in a re-arranged Ghana Premier League fixture at the Accra Sports. The game is as big as the Spanish Derby between Barcelona and Real Madrid or the Cairo Derby between Zamalek and Al Ahly.

The two bitterest rivals will lock horns and battle not just for 3 points but also for the bragging rights as to who reigns supreme over the other.

JE Sarpong, who is among a privileged list of a slecet few to coach both teams has been sharing his pre match expectations with FMIG.

Prior to the game, Asante Kotoko are the team with the best record judging by recent results.

With 2 games in hand, the Porcupine Warriors stand a chance of returning to the summit of the Premier League table while in the moment Hearts of Oak are still trying to find their feet in what has been a roller coaster season.

The Phobians have already changed coaches twice and look like the underdogs on paper approaching this latest installment of the fixture.

However JE Sarpong has sounded caution to connoisseurs who have started to write-off Hearts of Oak.

His insistence on this is based on the assertion that games of this nature are not as straightforward as it may seem.

“It doesn’t follow form guide and it takes a different dimension…different approach,” Coach Sarpong told FMIG.

He however admits that the absence of supporters at the venue due to Covid-19 restrictions will take some spark of the match.

“Unfortunately supporters will not go and watch this match. Of course spectators make the match (more) interesting,” he noted.

According to the astute and vocal tactician, he expects the level of officiating not to drop as has manifested so far this season.

“We hope and pray the referee who handles the match will be perfect with his job. We’ve gotten good officiating this year so we want to see a good game, devoid of any misunderstandings, protests, beatings… No. I think we’ll have a very good game on Sunday,” he concluded.

Hearts of Oak vs Asante Kotoko’s clash will be live on StarTimes Channel 247.

Kick off is slated for 3pm GMT.