Hearts of Oak manager Aboubakar Ouattara is optimistic about his team’s chances against Asante Kotoko.

Asante Kotoko will host Hearts of Oak on Sunday, December 15, 2024, at the Baba Yara Stadium for the much-anticipated Super Clash.

Following his side’s thrashing of Immigration FC in the Round of 64 of the FA Cup on Sunday, December 1, 2024, to book a place in the next stage of the domestic competition, Ouattara called on his players to shift their focus to the upcoming clash against Asante Kotoko.

"We can’t celebrate too much because we need to think about the next match [Asante Kotoko]. Kotoko needs the win, and we also need the win. Let’s wait till December 15 to see what happens because that game is a three-point match," he told the media after the FA Cup win.

Hearts of Oak currently lead Asante Kotoko by one point in the Ghana Premier League standings. Hearts sit in sixth place, while Kotoko are seventh, and this has fueled Ouattara’s confidence ahead of the game.

"We are going for the three points; if we don’t get it, we’ll take a point," he added.

Hearts of Oak’s last league win against Asante Kotoko came over a year ago in March 2023. Since then, Asante Kotoko has won the last two league encounters between the two sides.

Watch Sports Check with John Laryea below:



FKA/EK