Ghanaian giants Asante Kotoko are set to trigger a feud with arch-rivals Hearts of Oak after reports emerged the Kumasi-based Ghana Premier League side are flirting with the Phobians head coach Kenichi Yatsuhashi who has rejected his salary, according to Asempa FM.

The Porcupine Warriors are looking for a permanent head coach after asking David Duncan to step aside a fortnight ago.

Kotoko has installed assistant coach Michael Osei in a stop-gap role but are seeking to lure away the highly physical-conscious trainer.

Hearts officials have been locked in negotiations with the coach resolve his financial impasse.

And, they have reportedly began talks with Hearts coach Kenichi Yatsuhashi who is reportedly unhappy at the club and has issued an order to his bankers not to accept payment of salary and bonuses from the Phobians, Asempa FM have reported.

The Japanese trainer is reported to be unhappy with his current wages at Hearts and is opened to leaving the Accra-based side at the end of the first-half of the Ghanaian season.

Yatsuhashi joined Hearts before the start of the current Ghanaian season and he is credited with building a strong side which challenging for the Premier League title and turning around the playing standard of the club.