FootyDream

Head coach of Hearts Of Oak, Slavko Matic has selected a 19-man squad for their Ghana Premier League encounter game against Berekum Chelsea at the Accra Sports stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Phobians will be hoping to returning to winning ways after failing to pick up maximum points in their last two outings – they drew with Legon Cities and lost against RTU in Tamale.

About five key players including Caleb Amankwaah, Salifu Ibrahim and Kwadwo Obeng Jnr. are out of the team for the Chelsea clash.

Find the squad below;

GOALKEEPERS
RICHMOND AYI
BENJAMIN NANA YEBOAH

DEFENDERS
SAMUEL INKOOM
DENNIS NKRUMAH KORSAH
KWABENA ANANE
ROBERT ADDO
ZAKARIA YAKUBU
KONADU YIADOM

MIDFIELDERS
ERIC ESSO
AMANKWAA BAAFI
GIDEON ASANTE
GLADSON AWAKO
BENJAMIN YORKE
SURAJ SEIDU
FAISAL ADAMS

ATTACKERS
CLINTON APPIAH
VICTOR AIDOO
DON LINDA
ALBERT EONDE DIEGO

Ghana Premier League leaders Aduana Stars consolidated their position on the log by holding Bechem United to a goalless draw at the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park on Friday afternoon.

The Ogya Boys extend their lead on the summit to five points. They have amassed 32 points from 17 matches while second-placed Bechem have 27 points, followed Asante Kotoko who are on 27 points.

Bechem trainer Kassim Ocansey Mingle made no changes to the team that lost narrowly to Berekum Chelsea in the last round last week at Golden City Park. He went into the game with the same starting lineup.

Newly signed Burkinabe forward Aboubacar Tilourba was brought in the second half to make his debut for the Hunters, replacing Emmanuel Avornyo.

On the other hand, Paa Kwesi Fabin made a few alterations to the team that beat Nsoatreman FC 2-0 in the last league game at the Nana Agyemang Badu Park in Dormaa Ahenkro.

Richard Danso returned from suspension to take his place in the starting eleven. Yaw Ansah Fufuro continued to keep the posts in the absence of the captain Joseph Addo who is nursing an injury.

Kelvin Obeng who joined from Chelsea a few days ago was handed a starting role against Bechem while Hans Kwofie was named on the bench.

The Hunters dominated the first half by seeing a majority of the ball possession but they failed to create decent scoring opportunities from it. The first period of the match ended scoreless.

Bechem continued to be dominant in the second half yet they failed to make it count in goals scoring as Aduana remained compact and resolute at the back.

Aduana will finish the first half of the 2022-23 campaign at the top of the league standings notwithstanding results from the other matchday 17 fixtures on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

Former player and General Manager of Asante Kotoko Samuel Opoku Nti has lauded the club’s management decision to sign former Hearts of Oak defender Mohammed Alhassan.

The 30-year-old completed his move to the Porcupines on a year and half deal with an option to renew on Thursday afternoon and is expected to play a huge in the second half of the season.

Alhassan parted ways with Hearts of Oak earlier this year due to a disagreement with the club’s management.

In an interview with Kumasi-based Abusua FM, Opoku Nti the signing of Alhassan is one of the best the club has done in recent times and also highlighted his importance to the club.

“Mohammed Alhassan is one of the best signing Kotoko has done in recent times”

“We need to commend the management for signing such an experienced player”

“If you watch our matches recently, the defense has been our (Kotoko) major problem especially with the way we concede goals”

“I believe with his experience at national level and Hearts of Oak, he will be able to control our back line for us (Kotoko)”

During his time with the Phobians, he was a key contributor to the team’s successes, helping them to win two FA Cup titles and ending their long wait for a Ghana Premier League championship in 2021.

Third placed Bechem United will face league leaders Aduana FC in the betPawa Premier League at the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park on Friday. Bechem United lost their week 16 game against Berekum Chelsea by 1-0 at the Golden City Park – their first defeat in their last four Premier League games.

Aduana FC are top of the table with 31 points – four points ahead of second placed Asante Kotoko and five points in front of Bechem United.

Bechem United have won three and lost two games in their last five outings whilst League leaders Aduana FC have won three games, lost one and drawn one in their last five fixtures.

Kasim Mingle Ocansey’s Bechem United are yet to make any marque signings but the reliance on top scorer Hafiz Konkoni has proved profitable thus far – having scored six goals in the campaign.

The Hunters also have in their stable Cephas Kofi Mantey who has scored five goals. Pacy attacker Emmanuel Avornyo, right back Clinton Duodu, Isaiah Nyarko, Francis Twene and captain Kofi Abgesimah have all fared creditably in the League.

For Aduana FC capturing the likes of Hans Kwofie, Richard Danso, Zakaria Mumuni and Daniel Darkwah will go a long way to boost their title push. The match will be broadcast live on StarTimes Adepa channel 247.