Hearts of Oak should enter the match as a wounded lion, according to Kotoko player Baba Yahaya.

Baba Yahaya, a midfielder for Asante Kotoko, has stated that he anticipates a challenging matchup with Hearts of Oak in the Democracy Cup.

Next month, Parliament will host the first-ever Democracy Cup match between the Porcupine Warriors and the Phobians.

In an interview, Baba Yahaya stated that Kotoko, an Accra-based team, will seek retribution following their consecutive victories over Hearts of Oak in the 2023–24 Ghana Premier League.

He predicted that Kotoko would be well-prepared for the match and that the Phobians would enter the battle with injuries.

In an interview that Footballghana saw, Baba Yahaya stated to Peace FM, "We have beaten them twice already, and they will undoubtedly come with a wounded lion's mentality, determined to prevent a third defeat."

On Friday, July 5, Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak will meet in the Democracy Cup at the Accra Sports Stadium.