On May 9, 2001 the biggest tragedy in African football happened at the historic Accra Sports Stadium in a league match between rivals Accra Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante Kotoko. The disaster claimed 127 lives officially. I personally was a witness on that day watching events from the VIP stands with my father. The disaster started when Hearts of Oak scored two late goals taking the score line to 2-1 against Kotoko. Then Kotoko scored a very late goal which was supposed to the score line to 2-2, but the referee disallowed the goal which started the disaster. Fans of Kotoko started to remove the stadium seats and throw them on to the field and there was chaos at the stadium. The police, in managing the crowd, fired tear gas into the stands, which caused panic and resulted in a stampede and many people tragically died in the process.
On Monday May 2, 2016 Accra Hearts of Oak will face Asante Kotoko in a week 10 league match at the same Accra Sports Stadium for the 52nd time. The game is the biggest football match in Ghana because the two clubs are the biggest clubs in Ghana and have a longstanding history dating as far back as 1936. After the 2001 disaster, Hearts and Kotoko game has being a security challenge as hooliganism is at its highest level during the game. There is intelligence that there could be series of hooliganism similar to 2001. Mr. Smart Abbey, the security coordinator to the National Sports Authority, said in an interview that security will be at the highest level on Monday. The derby can be compared to that of Real Madrid vs. Barcelona, Liverpool vs. Manchester United, or Rangers vs. Celtic.
The History of Accra Hearts of Oak
Accra Hearts of Oak Sporting Club Limited, simply called Hearts of Oak, is the oldest existing club in Ghana having been established on November 11, 1911. Accra Hearts of Oak have won 20 league titles and 10 FA Cup trophies. Internationally Hearts of Oak have won one CAF Champions League title and one CAF Confederation Cup title which they defeated Asante Kotoko in 2004 and in 2001 they won the CAF Super Cup.
In the year 2000 Hearts of Oak got the nickname “Continental Club Masters” after being the first club in Africa to win both home and away games in the CAF Champions League. In the same 2001 Hearts of Oak went undefeated in Ghana and won the treble with Ghana League, FA Cup and CAF Champions League titles.
Accra Hearts of Oak is a big team in both Ghana and Africa. The club is owned by King Togbe Afede XIV. In the last ten years Hearts of Oak have being struggling in both Ghana and Africa and they were almost relegated last season, placing 13 out of 16 clubs. The club lunched an ambition named “Reviving the Lost Glory” as the team appointed American-born Japanese coach Kenichi Yatsuhashi, who have revived Accra Hearts of Oak and they are now in the second position.
The History of Kumasi Asante Kotoko
Asante Kotoko Sporting Club is a team owned by the Asante Kingdom. The president and owner of the team is the Asantehene (Asante King) Otumfuo Osei Tutu II. Asante Kotoko is arguably the most successful club in Ghana. Asante Kotoko Sporting Club, commonly referred to as Kotoko, have won an unprecedented 24 Ghana Premier League titles and eight FA cup trophies. Internationally Asante Kotoko have won the CAF Champions League two times and have been runner-up five times.
The International Federation of Football History and Statistics ranked Asante Kotoko the African club of the 20th century. In the CAF clubs rankings for the 21st century, Asante Kotoko are sixth on the ranking behind Al-Ahly (Egypt), Espérance (Tunisia), Étoile du Sahel (Tunisia), Zamalek (Egypt), and TP Mazembe (Congo DR).
Asante Kotoko was initiated on August 31, 1935 by Asantehene (Asante King) Nana Sir Osei Agyeman Prempeh II. Asante Kotoko’s emblem features the porcupine, displaying an arsenal of sharp spikes for use when attacked by an enemy. The porcupine is the official symbol of the Ashanti nation. In the Akan language a porcupine means Kotoko.
The nickname of Asante Kotoko is “Kum Apem a, Apem Beba” meaning “Kill a thousand and a thousand more will come.”
Security and Stadium Protection
Games between Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko have resulted in destruction of stadium property with hooliganism at the highest level at the stadium. After the May 9th disaster, security has been strict and more education has been done to stop hooliganism, but it is still a concern.
In the week 7 game between Accra Hearts of Oak and Wa Allstars at the Accra sports stadium, the supporters of Hearts of Oak threw bottles and items on to the field. The police, Bureau of National Investigation (BNI), the military, and the fire service have released a statement together with that National Sports Authority outlining the security details for the May 2nd match. After the May 9 disaster a committee was setup and one of the recommendations was that Hearts and Kotoko games should not be played on weekdays. This is the first time since May 9 that a Hearts and Kotoko game is being played on a weekday.
“The Kenichi Factor”
Since the appointment of Kenichi Yatsuhashi, the Hearts of Oak team have changed completely, now playing intuitive and extreme football with a lot of aggression. Yatsuhashi have brought great fitness to the Hearts of Oak players so players never get tired in playing the entire 90 minutes. Hearts of Oak are more stronger in the second half due to his tactics and preparation.
Former players, including Emmanuel Armah and Stephen Appiah, have showed their support for Yatsuhashi. There is a lot of belief in the soccer community that the coach will be the difference maker in the important matchup.
The Asante Kotoko Crisis
Kumasi Asante Kotoko were not in good form at the start of the season. This crisis led to suspending their coach David Duncan. Kotoko are coming into the game with their assistant coach Micheal Osei, who have won two league games and have lost one. With Duncan they won one league match, drew two, and lost three. The owner and president of the club met all the players and listened to each player and their grievances. Now the players are more likely to be motivated.
The Facts of the Game
Hearts of Oak are second on the league table with 18 points while Asante Kotoko is on ninth position with 11 points. Coach Kenichi Yatsuhashi will lead his players on Monday, while Micheal Osei, the assistant coach of Kotoko, will lead the “Porcupine Warriors.”
Hearts have been boosted ahead of their crunch tie against Kotoko after several key players returned to training. As many as six players have been in the treatment room for various injuries. Samuel Yeboah, Ollenu Ashitey, and Kennedy Appiah have returned to full-scale training. Selasi Adjei, Musah Inusah and Evans Gbeti have also started training ahead of the big match.
Asante Kotoko are coming to Accra with massive motivation from their owner and president. Former Black Stars and Hearts of Oak striker Prince Tagoe, who played in the derby against for several years had a lot to say about the match.
“Form does not count when it comes to Kotoko and Hearts matches. The lucky team will win on the day. It is a balance game. It might happen that Hearts could win because they are playing well and it might also happen that Kotoko could carry the day. I think luck will count, the team with the luck will carry the day so let’s see what happens.”
There will also be pressure on the officials. In the past years referees have suffered bad luck. In the 52nd match between Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko, the search fell on a Tamale-based referee Awal Mohammed.
I will be at the historic Accra Sports Stadium to cover the controversial derby in African football between Accra Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko. It’s going to be a monumental day.
