Supporters of Accra Hearts of Oak strongly believe that the month of June is their lucky moment and despite the current highly improved form of Kumasi Asante Kotoko, they are poised to beat the proverbial Porcupine Warriors at the Ohene Djan Stadium in the crucial league match on Sunday.

Hearts beat Kotoko 2-1 in the first round in Kumasi but that was when Kotoko were in the midst of board room wrangling and player indiscipline. In fact that defeat set the ball rolling for a string of losses for Kotoko and the club owners had to stop the rot by dismissing the executive board. An interim body spearheaded by three former national stars, Osei Kofi, Opoku Afriyie and Sarfo Gyamfi was tasked to rejuvenate the club. They picked experienced coach Herbert Addo. As if by magic, the fortunes of the club suddenly changed for the better and two sparkling victories over Sekondi Eleven Wise and Tema Youth have revived the sinking spirits of the club and they are confident of giving Hearts a stiff opposition.

The records say that Kotoko have not beaten their close rivals in Accra for the past 16 years. In addition for the past 25 years, the month of June has brought luck to Hearts in all encounters against Kotoko no matter the venue.

On Sunday June 3 1984, Hearts beat Kotoko 1-0 in Kumasi courtesy an 85th minute goal by Sam Yeboah.

On Wed June 12 1985, Hearts once again beat Kotoko 1-0 in Kumasi. Joe Amoateng’s last minute goal sealed the league title for Hearts

On Sunday June 4 1989, Hearts beat Kotoko 2-1 in June 4 Anniversary Cup match. Ablade Kumah and Henry Acquah scored within the first 15 mins and Yusif Alhassan’s 87th minute penalty gave Kotoko a consolation goal.

On Sunday June 10 1990, Hearts beat Kotoko 2-1 in Kumasi in a league match. Shamo Quaye and Anthony Tieku scored for Hearts and Baba Musah netted for Kotoko.

On Sunday June 13 1993, Hearts beat Kotoko 2-1 in an outstanding league match in Kumasi. Bernard Aryee and Massawudu Nader scored for Hearts and Joe Okyere was Kotoko’s scorer.

On June 4 1998, Hearts beat Kotoko 7-6 on penalties in a June 4 anniversary Cup match after a 1-1 draw a regulation time. Yaw Sakyi had scored for Hearts after 42mins with Essuman Dadzie.getting the equalizer in the 76th minute.

Kotoko’s best performance against Hearts in June was on June 23 2002, a 1-1 draw in Kumasi. Bernard Dong Bortey (70) scored for Hearts and Godwin Ablordey (93) penalty for Kotoko.

If this match had taken place a few weeks back ,it would have been a straight forward prediction of a win for Hearts but the sudden re-emergence of Kotoko’s striking power makes it quite a balanced affair and the team with the better tactical play stands the chance of carrying the day. A draw looks a most likely result though.

Matches between these two local giants always attract crowd indiscipline and it is hoped enough security measures would betaken to avoid a repetition of the first round match in Kumasi where three people were killed as a result of overcrowding.

The Accra match will definitely dwarf the Kumasi fixture between fast improving King Faisal and Ashantigold at the Baba Yara Stadium.

The remaining fixtures are (home teams first) All Blacks v Sekondi Eleven Wise ;Hear of Lions v Bechem Chelsea; Tema Youth v Real tamale United; Berekum Arsenal v Sporting Mirren ;Kessben v Liberty Professionals