There is this popular notion in Ghanaian football circles that matches involving the two biggest clubs Kumasi Asante Kotoko and Accra Hearts of Oak never follow the form guide. In other words no matter the current strength of each side it is extremely difficult to predict the outcome.

And the 3-3 result in their outstanding league match at the packed to capacity Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi today confirms this notion. Kotoko with their top class performances in both the league and the Africa Confederation competition were clearly the prematch favourites but Hearts rose to the occasion and forced Kotoko to fight for a valuable home point.

Incidentally it was Kotoko that had the tonic of an early goal through Kwadwo Opoku on 11 minutes. Hearts surprisingly fought back with venom and scored twice through Don Bortey (14th) Ekow Ghansah (41st). Eric Bekoe equalized for Kotoko two minutes later but Francis Bossman restored the lead for Hearts just before recess.

Kotoko’s midfield dynamo got the second equalizer for Kotoko four minutes on resumption and the remaining minutes were a ding dong affair. At the end the supporters of Hearts the underdogs were in jubilant mood but Kotoko fans could hardly jubilate even though they are firmly on top of the table

The last time the two most popular clubs recorded such a high tally at the same venue was August 7 1983 when Hearts won 4-3 after leading 3-0 at half time through Emmanuel Botchway( 9th,40th) Sam Yeboah(32nd). Asante Kotoko’s Opoku Nti got a second half hat-trick in the 54th,55th,60th minutes but Hesse Odamtten scored in the 76th minute to carry the day for Hearts.