FootyDream

Accra Hearts of Oak are unbeaten in their last six games, making a significant jump on the League log and picking four wins, two draws (14) points from a possible 19.

The Phobians needed two goals in either half to beat two-time Champions Aduana Football Club on Sunday to climb to fourth in the League standings. New coach Samuel Boadu is gradually picking the pieces and a win on Sunday would take his winning run to three games on the spin.

The former Medeama SC coach began his Hearts of Oak journey with a draw against rivals Asante Kotoko and have gone on to beat WAFA (4-0) and Aduana FC (2-0).

Hearts of Oak have scored six goals in two games and seem to have rediscovered their goal scoring shoes with Victor Aidoo netting 7 goals in the on-going campaign. Nuru Sulley, Mohammed Alhassan, Raddy Ovouka and Mohammed Fataw have made the backline their own following consistent displays for the Phobians.

They are currently in fourth place with 30 points, three points’ adrift, Great Olympics who have 33 points from 18 matches.

On Saturday, the Phobians have a test against AshantiGold at the Obuasi Len Clay stadium in a match day 19 encounter. The Miners began the second round with a gallant away display that earned them one point against Karela United at Aiyinase.

New signing Kofi Mensah put up a man of the match performance to win them one point as he pulled some crucial saves to keep them in the game until Umar Basiru’s late equalizer. The former Ghanaian champions have not lost a game in Obuasi this season, sitting in 10^thplace with 23 points.

They lost Hans Kwofie to Legon Cities in the second window but still possess enough quality to punish the Phobians. New Coach Romain Folz would expect Mark Agyekum, Isaac Opoku Agyemang, Amos Addai, Jacob Apau and Seth Osei to pull some magic against an improved Hearts of Oak side on Saturday.

A win against Hearts of Oak would be their first in four games following three defeats and one draw in their last three games. Ashanti Gold have won 9 times in their last 25 meetings with Hearts of Oak.

The game, scheduled for the Len Clay stadium on Saturday, will be broadcasted live on StarTimes Adepa channel 247.

GFA

Ebusua Dwarfs and Eleven Wonders commenced the matchday 19 fixtures of the. 2020/21 Ghana Premier League in style as the two sides played a 1-1 draw at the Cape Coast Stadium on Friday afternoon.

It was an early set-up from both teams, entering the game with much expectations. Dwarfs suffered a painful 1-0 defeat in their last game against Elmina Sharks, conceding in the last minute of the game while Wonders secured a 1-1 draw with Kotoko at home.

The two teams made their intentions clear from the start of the game, scoring before first quarter mark.

Ebusua Dwarfs after some incursions into the opponent’s half opened the scoring in the 13th minute, thanks to Michael Asamoah’s brilliant finish.

Coach Ignatius Fosu’s side responded in a spate of two minutes with a brilliant recession pass from Frank Amankwah to striker Clement. Clement Boahen restored parity for Eleven Wonders from the pass.

Moro Sumaila missed a glorious opportunity after beating two defenders in the 16-yard box. Though he maintained his composure after dribbling past two defenders, his final touch saw the ball miss the goal post by inches.

Dennis Korsah also came close to scoring but his powerful drive was saved by goalkeeper Abdulai.

The first half ended in a 1-1 draw.

After recess, Goalkeeper Abdulai was the man defending his team with brilliant saves to deny Dwarfs from snatching the second goal.

Hammond after taking off one defender still went for power but his strike was punched out by the shot-stopper of Eleven Wonders.

On the 87th minute mark, Eleven Wonders had the biggest chance of the game to take away the three maximum points in the person of Samuel Boakye.

However, the set-up from Alex Asamoah was fluffed by Boakye – who has been impressive this campaign.

Additional five minutes which was added could not separate the two teams despite Dwarfs making several efforts.

Currently, Ebusua Dwarfs sit 12th with 23 points with Eleven Wonders occupying the 14th position.

Japanese striker Jindo Morishita was offered the opportunity to play his first match for Ebusua Dwarfs on Friday, 9 April 2021, as a second half substitute in their Ghana Premier League encounter against Eleven Wonders.

The 25-year-old was introduced after 64 minutes at the Cape Coast Stadium as a replacement for Obed Bentum.

READ MORE: Ghanaian club Ebusua Dwarfs sign Japanese striker Jindo Morishita

He joined the Cape Coast-based club on a one-year deal after leaving Zambian side Maestro United Zambia (MUZA).

READ MORE: Embassy of Japan outdoors Ebusua Dwarfs’ Japanese striker Jindo Morishita

Morishita has now become the first-ever Japanese player to play in Ghana Premier League after putting signing a contract with the coastal club.

The game ended in a 1-1 stalemate.

The games are coming in thick and fast as the second round of the Ghana Premier League unfolds.

There isn’t time to settle as the league table is starting to take shape.

Great Olympics, Karela United, Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak look poised to battle it for the title.

Whilst, a host of teams in the bottom half look to avoid the drop.

Here are four games you can’t afford to miss this weekend.

AshantiGold vs Hearts of Oak

It was a goalfest when these two sides met in the first round.

Arguably the match of the season as both teams sized up each other in a 2-2 draw.

Since then, a lot has changed with the two teams changing coaches.

AshGold fell off in the title race and are now revitalizing under new coach Romain Folz.

The Miners put up a spirited performance on matchday 18 holding Karela to a 1-1 draw at the Crosby Awuah Memorial Park.

As a result, the Obuasi-based club will come into this clash full of confidence looking to pick up their first victory under their new coach.

For Hearts of Oak, Samuel Boadu seems to have steadied the ship. Spirits are high as the former Medeama coach is yet to concede, winning his first two games.

This should be an eagerly contested battle for two teams who have found new life under new coaches.

Stadium: Len Clay Park, Obuasi

Time: Saturday, 15:00GMT

Prediction: AshGold 1-3 Hearts of Oak

Asante Kotoko vs Berekum Chelsea

Asante Kotoko at the moment seem to be scoring goals for fun. Four different goalscorers in their last outing against Bechem United shows how ruthless the Porcupines can be.

Mariano Barreto doesn’t want to get ahead of himself and has called for calm stating that his team can do better.

It was the first time since 2016 that Kotoko had managed to score four goals in a single Ghana Premier League game.

The Porcupine Warriors would want to once again establish their dominance when they face an in-form Berekum Chelsea side.

The Berekum-based club have won four out of their last seven games in their pursuit to avoid relegation.

When these two sides met in the last round, there was drama as a late free kick from Emmanuel Clottey ensured the points were shared.

However, Kotoko might have different ideas this time playing at home.

Stadium: Len Clay Park, Obuasi

Time: Sunday, 15:00GMT

Prediction: Asante Kotoko 2-0 Berekum Chelsea

Legon Cities vs Great Olympics

It’s been back to back losses against relegation candidates for Legon Cities.

Bashir Hayford might start to feel the pressure if the results don’t come his way considering the number of signings he made in the second transfer window.

The former AshGold coach will be glad to welcome Victorien Adebayor who trained with the team this week.

The Royals have lacked a cutting edge upfront despite strengthening in attack.

They’ve scored just two goals in their last three games winning just one.

The poor form of the Accra-based club leaves them just one point above the relegation zone.

Up next is an Accra derby against table toppers Accra Great Olympics.

Olympics will be motivated heading into this fixture knowing victory could enhance their lead at the top.

The Oly Dade boys are ambitious but cautious in their pursuit of a first league title in more than 40 years.

Legon Cities have showed that they can compete against the big sides even in their poor form.

Stadium: Accra Sports stadium

Time: Sunday, 15:00GMT

Prediction: Legon Cities 2-1 Great Olympics

Medeama vs Dreams FC

If Medeama want to remain title contenders, they can’t afford to drop points this weekend.

Already six points off the top, Medeama will need an impressive display against a compact Dreams FC side.

The Mauves and Yellows went on a three game win run but quickly dropped off failing to pick a win in their last two.

A defeat against leaders Olympics on matchday 18 means Yaw Preko and his boys now have their work cut out for them.

Dreams FC on the other hand have experienced similar circumstances to Medeama.

After going on an eight game unbeaten run, the Still Believe boys have just one win in their last four.

However, Dreams hold the upper hand in terms of recent head-to-head winning their last two against the Tarkwa-based side.

Stadium: Akoon Park, Tarkwa

Time: Sunday, 15:00GMT

Prediction: Medeama 1-1 Dreams FC

Source: Owuraku Ampofo – Joy Sports