There is widespread conviction, dating back to the 80’s and even earlier, that the country’s two most glamorous football clubs and rivals, Kumasi Asante Kotoko and Accra Hearts of Oak, will never be relegated to the lower divisions of Ghana football. And as if by divine decree, the two clubs have held on to this belief.  

As founding members for all those decades and thankfully, they have been the flagship which has steered many younger clubs to see the light. These two teams have also set the records straight on the continent in the past.

In terms of real football, no matter their form, they pull large crowds and the Ghana Football Association (GFA) is aware that without the two, this country’s football will be lifeless. 

Yes, they hold the leadership and many critics feel they are pampered but their rivalry is phenomenal and each one tries to outdo the other, sometimes going to the extent of working for the downfall of each other.

Sports and social

Former Accra Hearts of Oak board and management members last Thursday joined thousands of sympathisers at Sikafo Amantem, a suburb of Ashaiman, near Tema, to observe the one-week celebration of the death of Grace Akuokor Doku-Tetteh, 71, mother of Isaac Tetteh, alias T. T. Brothers a former director  and financier of Hearts. 

The second edition of the McDan Open Tennis Tournament comes off from April 20 to 25 at the Accra Sports Stadium with indications pointing towards a renewal of the rivalry between top players.

Twenty three Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles are ready to be released by automobile dealers, Tanink Ghana Limited, to players of the Black Stars by close of the week.

Ghana’S Black Satellites, who got their African Youth Championship campaign to a flying start last Monday with a 2-0 win over South Africa, appear to be in an all-conquering mission and will look to consolidate their gains tomorrow with a victory over Zambia in their second game in M’bour.

France midfielder Paul Pogba struck late as Italian Serie A leaders Juventus boosted their bid for a fourth consecutive title with a 1-0 win over Sassuolo that stretched their their lead over Roma to 11 points last Monday.

Former Accra Hearts of Oak Coach, David Duncan, has taken charge of the technical affairs of Kumasi Asante Kotoko, after agreeing to a pre-contract with defending league champions, but is expected to put pen to paper next week to seal the two-year renewable deal.

When they were expected to win against Athletic in their La Liga encounter last Saturday, Real Madrid were beaten 0-1. Today, they hope to bounce back though in a different competition as they host Schalke 04 in the second leg of their Champions League clash.

Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel was "fine" after he was stretchered off during his side's 0-0 English FA Cup quarter-final draw with Blackburn Rovers last Sunday, manager Brendan Rodgers said.

Black Star captain Asamoah Gyan had a special guest watching him in Dubai as his goal sent Al Ain to the top of the Emirate league with a close 2-1 win over rivals AlJazira on Sunday.

Manny Pacquiao's preparations for the biggest fight of his career against Floyd Mayweather Jnr have been disrupted by his opponents manager/adviser, claims trainer Freddie Roach.

FC Schalke 04  relish making UEFA Champions League history by overturning a 2-0 deficit at Real Madrid CF tomorrow, though they reckon it will be a tough task.

Hundreds of fans of Kumasi Asante Kotoko were left in despair as their team were held to a 1-1 draw by visiting Medeama SC in their Premier League game ahead of  their Africa campaign on Saturday.

Inter Allies yesterday produced a magical performance to shock Accra Great Olympics with a 1-0 victory at the Accra Sports Stadium in their First Capital Premier League encounter.