Armed robbers attack Asante Kotoko contingent ahead of Super Clash with Hearts of Oak

By El Akyereko Frimpong

Follow the writer on Twitter: @AkyerekOfficial

Asante Kotoko have been dealt a huge psychological blow ahead of their Ghanaian Premier League Super Clash with bitter-rivals Accra Hearts of Oak following an armed robbery attack on the team's contingent in Accra at Sunday dawn. 

General Manager Samuel Opoku Nti and George Kennedy were tied together as the gunmen assaulted players before leaving the hotel with cash and other valuable possessions of the Kotoko squad.

The robbers also angrily collected mobile phones and other collectibles of some players and flushed into a WC.

But the 23-time Ghana Premier League champions have not served any notice of their intentions to call for postponement of the highly anticipated week 25 clash at the Accra Sports Stadium.

The Porcupine Warriors Operations Manager George Kennedy and two other players were subjected to physical assaults by the gunmen at their base at the Tadoma Hotel in Taifa - a suburb of Accra, a Kotoko official Chairman Boamah confirmed on Accra-based Happy FM.

No injuries have been reported but questions are being asked about the security of the team as they were apparently unguarded by security officials.

"We had gone to the hotel earlier in the day to motivate the team but sadly we got the news of the attack by the robbers on our officials and players. But we are well ready for the game but obviously it is a sad happening ahead of the game," Boamah told Happy FM's Joe Debrah.

Kotoko and Hearts are both struggling to break free of relegation shackles as they each seek a win over the other.

But Kotoko are particularly aiming for a victory over the Rainbow club as they have lost both of their games in the calendar year.