Kotoko chief Opoku Nti latest to back struggling rivals Hearts to stay afloat

By Patrick Akoto

Struggling Hearts have received backing to survive from an unlikely source after the general manager of their arch-rivals Asante Kotoko, Samuel Opoku Nti tipped the side to avoid the drop.

Hearts recorded a vital 1-0 win at Liberty Professionals on Wednesday but remain in the relegation trap net following Great Olympics victory over Berekum Chelsea.

The Phobians are facing a real threat of being demoted to the country’s second-tier after a rather poor campaign this term.

But Kotoko chief Samuel Opoku Nti has backed their sworn-rivals to skip relegation with only four games to spare.

You must understand this... Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko can never be relegated,” Nti told Accra-based Atinka FM.

“I believe that Hearts will bounce back and they surely will do because football is full of uncertainties and especially with big clubs like Hearts, you know they'll sail through.

“There is no way Hearts will be relegated and if they do, then maybe it is a destiny.”

Hearts host Bechem United in the capital in their next encounter on Sunday with nothing short of victory crucial to their survival push.