The 2021/22 Ghana Premier League's matchday 7 outstanding game - the first Super Clash of the season between Accra Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante Kotoko is set to be played on Sunday, February 20, at the Accra Sports Stadium.

The two teams have been the greatest clubs to have graced Ghana's football and have rightly earned their rights as two arch-rivals since their first ever meeting.

For everything positive Kotoko have done so far this season, the Porcupine Warriors stad as favourites going into the clash over the weekend but most often, games of this nature has been far from just the form of the teams. That is definitely Hearts will be hoping for.

The Phobians have managed just six wins from their 16 games played so far in the league, taking just 24 points from an available 48 from the first round with one more game to go.

Kotoko, on the other hand, have 36 points from 16 games (3 draws and 2 losses) and currently 16 points above their fierce rivals ahead of Sunday's fixture.

In the last meeting between these two in Accra, the league title was at stake as a 1-0 win for Hearts ensure they went on to finish four points ahead of the Kumasi-based. Daniel Afriyie Barnieh's strike was enough for Samuel Boadu's side to beat Kotoko, under Mariano Barreto.

However, with 17 matches still two go, there is still a lot to play for and if there is a defeat in this game for either of the sides, Hearts will be the team to feel the aftermath effect as it will further complicate their chances of defending their their title.

The Accra-based club won the league last season but failed to live up to the spark people were looking forward to seeing this campaign.

This will be the 109th league meeting between these two sides. During that time, Hearts have won the most (37) while Kotoko are two behind their opponent (35) with 36 games also ending in a stalemate.

Also in the last five meetings at the Accra Sports Stadium in the top-flight, Kotoko have seen three wins compared to the Rainbow Club's two.

This fixture will also two hardworking head coaches in the league battle for the bragging rights regarding who is the best in the country.

Prior to joining the Porcupine Warriors, Prosper Ogum Narteh faced Samuel Boadu three times as coach of WAFA, winning two and losing the other. Boadu suffered a 5-4 loss as head coach of Medeama to WAFA before meeting Narteh twice as gaffer of Hearts.

KEY PLAYERS

• Kofi Kordzi has seven of Hearts' 15 league goals so far this season and has been one of the positive addition to the squad for the 2021/22 season. The forward will look to help his side overcome Kotoko on Sunday and kick start a good run of form for the Phobians.

• Franck Mbella Etouga has been the brightest spot at the other end. The Cameroonin has found the back of the net 11 times already this season and leads the charge as the league's top-scorer.

In terms of injuries and suspensions, Fabio Gama and Isaac Oppong are two names certain to miss this crunch encounter while Imoro Ibrahim and Georges Mfegue are back in contention for a starting spot after missing the last game due to card accumulation.

Hearts will be without star man, Ibrahim Salifu but veteran midfielder Sulley Muntari and Gladson Awako could face the Porcupine Warriors for the first time in rainbow colours.

The game will also see the Accra Sports Stadium full to its capacity after being given the clearance by the National Sports Authority.

The Super Clash kicks off at 15:00 GMT.