Let there be peace at Sunday’s ‘el-clasico’

From all indications, Sunday’s Premier League super clash between giants Kumasi Asante Kotoko and Accra Hearts of Oak at the Baba Yara Stadium will be fiercely contested, as both camps anticipate refreshing results to boost their title ambitions.

It goes without saying that matches between these two bitter rivals are always tension-packed and often ill-tempered, all in search of supremacy. And this Week 21 thriller is expected to follow a similar pattern, especially considering events leading to this big encounter.

That is why we want to sound a note of caution to all stakeholders in this all-important assignment to get their act right to avoid any regrettable incidents. 

The fact that the two previous clashes between them this season were incident-free does not mean peace can always prevail in such games.  

We feel proud to recall that in May this year when Kotoko descended on the capital (Accra) to beat the Phobians by a lone goal in a titanic league duel, courtesy goalkeeper Soulama Abdoulaye’s howler, there was absolute calm before, during and after the match.

And when the two teams clashed again in the annual President’s Cup match on Republic Day (July 1), supporters of the two teams again comported themselves, with Kotoko carrying away the trophy via penalties after a pulsating goalless draw.

We, therefore, urge supporters of the two sides to be guided by these worthy examples as they throng the Baba Yara Stadium on Sunday to rally behind their respective clubs. 

Although the stakes are understandably high, we expect the fans to go to the stadium with a mind to accept the results as they will be, without expressing their reservations in a violent manner.

Of course, current league leaders, Hearts, have every reason to go into Sunday’s encounter in high spirits with a five-point gap between them and Kotoko, who are now fourth. 

In addition to that, the Phobians hope to ride on the back of tradition as better performers in Kumasi to seek a badly needed revenge at a time their opponents are reeling from a 1-4 shocking defeat to Ebusua Dwarfs in Cape Coast last Wednesday.

However, the expectation will be no different among Kotoko fans, who may find it difficult to handle another setback after drawing at home to Bechem United last Sunday, followed by the loss to Dwarfs.     

It is against this backdrop that we deem it appropriate to advise the match officials for the day to be circumspect and fair in their judgement to ensure fair play throughout the game. 

We believe that without bias officiating, fans of both camps will not feel reluctant to accept the outcome, whichever way it goes.

We also appeal for adequate security from the peace officers to ward off any violent tendencies which could endanger lives and property and rather create the right atmosphere to enable the two foremost clubs to project Ghana football to the rest of the world once more.

All told, Ghana football should be the winner at the end of this ‘El-Clasico’.