By: Yaw Ampofo JR
The Hearts of Oak-Asante Kotoko rivalry transcends football, it embodies a historic clash of ethnic groups, trade, territorial conquest, and the legacy of the slave wars in the Gold coast. Even today, the derby is Ghana’s most talked about fixture, it records the highest streams, and historically the most coveted game.
Formation of Accra Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko
Accra Hearts of Oak was founded in1911, long before Ghana’s independence. During the Gold Coast era, under Governor Gordon Guggisberg’s watch, the Oak club secured its first major victory in 1922.
The success of Hearts sent ripples to Kumasi, inspiring the formation of Asante Kotoko in 1935, 35 years after the Yaa Asantewaa War of 1900. Asante Kotoko endured formative years, built on a foundation laid by 13 Ashanti men.
The club struggled initially until J.S.K. Frimpong, with permission from Asantehene Nana Osei Agyeman Prempeh II, who became its lifelong patron, strengthened its roots.
Historical Ethnic and Trade Conflicts
Historically, tensions simmered between the Ashanti Empire and coastal traders, predominantly the Fante and Ga people. The Ashanti Kingdom, seeking to expand its influence, engaged in trade along the coast.
The Ga-Asante wars ended with Ashanti conquest, and through coastal trade, the Ashanti forged an alliance with the Ga, driven by their shared interest in controlling the Fante, who had direct trade links with the British.
Independence, modernization, and civilization reshaped these dynamics, fostering unity off the pitch but not on it. The historic trade rivalries echo in the fierce battles between Accra Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante Kotoko, two clubs rooted in territories, what are now distinct regions, battling for supremacy.
The rivalry
The rival competition between Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko dates back to their first clash in 1954, with Asante Kotoko, nicknamed the Porcupines, defeating Hearts of Oak 3-0 in Kumasi.
In their 115 historic matches, Asante Kotoko holds a narrow one-game lead over the Phobians. The Rainbow club, Accra Hearts of Oak, has won 38 games and drawn 38, while Asante Kotoko has secured 39 wins, just one victory ahead.
This highly contested game is a maker of legends, engravesheroic moments in the minds of its loyal fans and shows no regard for form.
Since the first match, the contest remains unrelenting, itspursuit of heroes, legends, and iconic moments continues.
The Songs, Chants and screams of power
Music and sports, particularly football, have always walked in tandem. Musicians often incorporate key football terms or names into their songs, while chants take a distinctly unique approach. Like war songs, chants and songs sung by fans during these clashes inspire bravery, conquest, and the pursuit of glory.
The famous chant, Asante man, Asante Kotoko, Wo kum apem, apem beba, which translates to, “The Ashanti Kingdom never dies; if a thousand die, another thousand will rise again.” This embodies the resilient and conquering spirit of the Ashanti Kingdom, which dominated and controlled clans, states, trade and Kingdoms in most parts of the Gold Coast through wars.
Similarly, Hearts of Oak’s song, considered one of the most iconic tunes ever produced, follows a similar theme. Arose, arose, arose, be quiet and don’t be seen, we are the famous Hearts of Oak, we never say die. This song claims authority and recalls the undying spirit of the Ga people, who migrated from Ile-Ife in Nigeria to settle in their present-day home.
On Sunday, when Accra Hearts of Oak host Asante Kotoko, history will be recounted with vibrant culture on display. Will it be a famous night where Hearts of Oak’s Arose, arose, arose is sung until dusk, or a heroic night where Wo kum apem echoes at dawn?
