Kotoko coach Prince Owusu eyes redemption against Hearts of Oak

Interim head coach of Asante Kotoko Prince Owusu has expressed his readiness to battle rivals Hearts of Oak in match day 22 of the Ghana Premier League on Sunday, February 15.

The two top Ghanaian clubs will square off at the Baba Yara Stadium in what has always been a keenly contested derby.

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Asante Kotoko have struggled in their last two games where they suffered a 3-1 loss to Heart of Lions in week 21 before failing to defend the FA Cup title following a 4-2 penalty shootout loss to Aduana FC in the round 16 at the Baba Yara Stadium.

Ahead of hosting Hearts of Oak, Kotoko must deal with the departure of coach Karim Zito who resigned from his post with assistant Prince Owusu stepping into the vacuum.

Kotoko failed to defend FA Cup after Aduana loss

Prince Owusu said: “We have started training and we are ready to face Hearts of Oak [and] one thing I will bring back to us is, the last game we didn’t have our way, things didn’t go well for us [and] we have to make amendments and we are ready to work hard this week so that we can close the gap to get the win from Hearts of Oak,” Prince Owusu told Kotoko TV.

“When it comes to Hearts of Oak and Kotoko I don’t count by what happened before [but] it is the performance on the day, on the pitch and how bad the other team wants it that’s what gives the results so, we are also starting to get ourselves ready for the game.

Hearts of Oak on the other hand have conceded the least number of goals of seven in 21 matches with 36 points in fourth spot same as Aduana and reigning champions GoldStars. Asante Kotoko follow in 5th on 35 points.

Prince Owusu’s Battle Plan: “Performance Over Past Form”

Despite the recent setbacks, Prince Owusu is choosing to look forward rather than dwell on the failures of the past week. Speaking to Kotoko TV, the interim boss emphasized that the derby is an entirely different beast where momentum can be shifted in a single 90-minute window.

“We have started training and we are ready to face Hearts of Oak. One thing I will bring back to us is accountability. In the last game, we didn’t have our way and things didn’t go well for us. We have to make amendments and we are ready to work hard this week so that we can close the gap,” Owusu asserted.

He further added a classic derby sentiment:

“When it comes to Hearts of Oak and Kotoko, I don’t count by what happened before. It is the performance on the day, on the pitch, and how bad the team wants it. That is what gives the results. We are focusing on our psychological readiness.”

A Clash of Styles: The Phobians’ Wall vs. Kotoko’s Desperation

The tactical battle on Sunday presents a fascinating contrast. Hearts of Oak arrive in Kumasi boasting the most disciplined defense in the league. The Phobians have conceded a mere seven goals in 21 matches, a staggering statistic that has propelled them to fourth place with 36 points.

Hearts currently sit level on points with heavyweights Aduana FC and reigning champions Bibiani GoldStars. A win in Kumasi could potentially propel them into the top three, making this derby a pivotal moment for their title ambitions.

Conversely, Asante Kotoko sits in fifth place with 35 points. A victory for the Porcupine Warriors would not only leapfrog them over their rivals but also act as a vital catalyst to save their season. For Owusu, the goal is to breach the Phobians’ “Iron Curtain” and restore the pride of the Kumasi faithful.

Historical Weight and Fan Expectations

The Baba Yara Stadium is expected to be at its full 40,000-capacity. For the fans, this isn’t just a game; it is a cultural event. With Kotoko currently out of the FA Cup, the league remains their only path to silverware, adding a layer of desperation to their play.

Will Prince Owusu’s “hard work” mantra be enough to break down the Phobians’ defensive resilience? Or will Hearts of Oak exploit the turmoil in the Kotoko camp to secure a historic double over their rivals?

Stay tuned for our Live Match Commentary starting at 15:00 GMT on Sunday.