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Hearts of Oak will welcome city adversaries Great Olympics to the Accra Sports Stadium in Week 11 of the 2020/21 Ghana Premier League on Saturday.

The Phobians will surely have to punch above themselves to triumph against Great Olympics in arguably the biggest match of Week 11.

Hearts of Oak have found their mojo since Kosta Papic took over the reins in December.

The one-time Africa champions have collected three wins, two draws and one defeat in their last six game since the Serbian tactician was appointed as a replacement for Edward Nii Odoom.

But their new-found resolve will be put to test when they come up against Great Olympics who are one of the most in-form sides in the league.

Great Olympics are enjoying a good run of results this term hence will be buoyed going into the match against their fiercest rivals at the Accra Sports Stadium on Saturday.

The Dade Boys are expected to avoid last season’s 4-0 humiliating defeat against the Rainbow Boys after clinching some important away wins at the ground this season.

Yaw Preko’s side have been the better side when sharing the Accra Sports Stadium pitch with another team this term, beating Asante Kotoko and Inter Allies playing as the away team at the venue.

Hearts of Oak and Great Olympics will be aiming to return to winning ways following their respective goalless draw games against Berekum Chelsea and Karela United FC.

Olympics will miss the services of enterprising wing-back Philip Nii Kojo Sackey due to suspension.

The youngster has been a key cog for the Blues with his marauding runs on the line hence will definitely be missed in the game.

Papic meanwhile will have a full house to choose from after the return of all his injured stars including Emmanuel Nettey.

Mamane Lawale, Nurudeen Aziz, Kwadwo Obeng Jnr and Michelle Sarpong have all recovered and are expected to play a part in the match.

Hearts of Oak will also welcome back creative midfielder Umar Manaf to the starting line-up after missing last weekend’s draw at the Berekum Golden City Park through suspension.

Great Olympics sit 6th spot with 15 points, with Hearts flying in 3rd position with 16 points after 10 round of games.

Players to Watch;

Hearts of Oak — Victor Aidoo

Great Olympics — Gladson Awako

Head-to-Head:

91 League matches

Hearts wins – 41

Olympics wins – 22

Draws – 28

Last meeting: (2019-20 season) Hearts –4 –Olympics – 0

The game will be live on StarTimes Adepa Channel at 18:00 GMT

Match Officials;

REFEREE: Charles Bulu

ASSISTANTS: Paul Atimaka & Alex Osam

4TH REFEREE: Julian Nunoo

MATCH COMMISSIONER: Thomas Nunoo

VENUE MEDIA OFFICER: Raymond Ackumey

Source:Ghanasoccernet

It is derby weekend in the Ghana Premier League with four of the nine matches being regional derbies.

Hearts of Oak host Accra Great Olympics, Asante Kotoko travel to face Ashanti Gold, Karela United welcome Medeama SC and Inter Allies lock horns with Legon Cities.

Each of these games could have a significant impact on the table standings with so little to separate teams this season in terms of points.

All 18 teams will be involved this weekend but here ‘s a preview to the four derbies you can’t afford to miss this matchday:

Hearts of Oak vs Great Olympics

The Mantse derby comes of between Hearts of Oak and Great Olympics. This historic match usually determines the owner of the Accra land till these two sides clash again.

The derby comes at a good time for both clubs with both teams in some good form.

Hearts, the home team have been imperious at home under new coach Kosta Papic winning all three games with an aggregate score of 11-1.

Olympics on the other hand, have also been adventurous on the road. The Oly Dade have are second on the away table with seven points from five games.

So far, new coach Yaw Preko is unbeaten in two games but will require his side to play above themselves if they want to end their winless streak against the Phobians.

Since 2000, Olympics have won just one league game against Hearts. The Phobians have been dominant winning 11 with seven games ending in a stalemate.

A win by any of the two sides could potentially propel them to the top of the table, adding extra incentive to a feisty derby.

Stadium: Accra Sports stadium, Accra

Time: Saturday, 18:00GMT

Prediction: Hearts of Oak 2-2 Olympics

Ashanti Gold vs Asante Kotoko

A Kumasi derby well poised with both teams eyeing a place at the top of the table by the end of the matchday.

Both teams sit just two points behind Karela who are table toppers.

For AshGold, a win against their rivals would be a statement of intent. Especially after coming off the back of a very poor performance against Legon Cities.

Kotoko have found some form under interim coach Johnson Smith picking up 11 points from a possible 18 with just one defeat.

That defeat inflicted by Aduana Stars was a painful one for the Porcupine Warriors who knew a win would send them to the top of the table.

It was the first time the Ogya boys had won an away game against Kotoko.

With both AshGold and Kotoko losing their previous games, expectations will be higher in this derby to get win.

The Miners are yet to lose a home match this season and Kotoko are also yet to lose an away game this season.

AshGold will be without marksman, Appiah McCarthy who will be out injured for 4-6 games.

Despite suffering a concussion, Fabio Gama has been cleared fit to play, however the Porcupine Warriors are likely to be without the services of Patrick Asmah and Habib Mohammed.

In the past five games between the two at Obuasi, there have been 15 goals scored.

Stadium: Len Clay stadium, Obuasi

Time: Sunday, 15:00GMT

Prediction: AshGold 1-2 Kotoko

Karela United vs Medeama SC

The Nzema derby has never been this significant in recent times. Karela United are having a remarkable season and sit top of the league.

For Medeama, it was a slow start but two wins in their last three has seen a sharp rise in the table.

A win for Samuel Boadu’s men on Sunday will take them to within just one point off the top of the table.

However, that will be a tough task for the Mauve and Yellows because Karela are on a hot streak at home.

The Pride and Passion boys have won all five home games so far scoring 12 goals and conceding three.

The match could prove to be a defining moment in each team’s season making it a highly anticipated fixture.

The two teams have only met twice in the league, with Medeama winning one and the other ending in a draw.

Stadium: Crosby Awuah Memorial (CAM) park, Aiyinase

Time: Sunday, 15:00GMT

Prediction: Karela 2-0 Medema

Inter Allies vs Legon Cities

When it comes to Accra derbies, it isn’t all about the Mantse derby.

Although there isn’t rich history between Inter Allies and Legon Cities, the stakes are very high when both teams clash in the Accra New Boys Derby this weekend.

It is dubbed New Boys because Inter Allies only gained promotion to the Ghana Premier League in 2013 and Legon Cities changed their name from Wa All Stars in 2019.

As a result, this derby is still in its budding stages however three points will be crucial when they meet.

Both teams sit in the relegation zone currently and three points will be enough to move out of the drop.

The two sides met for the first time in 2020 in a match which ended as a 1-1 draw.

These teams who have both appointed new coaches this season need a strong performance and a win to not just be called the best new boys in Accra, but also to climb out of the relegation zone.

Stadium: Accra Sports stadium, Accra

Time: Sunday, 15:00GMT

Prediction: Inter Allies 1-1 Legon Cities

Source:Myjoyonline

Hearts of Oak head coach Kosta Papic has named a 20-man squad for their tricky battle with regional rivals Great Olympics on Saturday.

The Phobians will play as hosts to the Dade Boys in a match-day 11encounter of the Ghana Premier League at the Accra Sports Stadium.

 
Abdul-Aziz Nurudeen and Isaac Mensah have earned a return to the squad list for today’s game.

Afriyie Barnieh has also joined the side from the National U-20 camp.

Below is the 20-man Hearts of Oak squad list

GOALKEEPERS:
Richmond Ayi, Richard Attah

DEFENDERS:
Mohammed Alhassan, Robert Addo,  Fatau Mohammed, Raddy Ovouka, William Dankyi, James Serwornu, Nuru Sulley, Larry Sumaila

MIDFIELDERS:
Benjamin Afutu Kotey, Frederick Ansah Botchway, Abdul Manaf Gumah, Emmanuel Nettey, Abdul Aziz Nurudeen

STRIKERS:
Patrick Razak, Abednego Tetteh, Victor Aidoo, Daniel Afriyie Barnieh, Isaac Mensah

Serbian coach Milovan Cirkovic has said he has no problems finding antidotes to Asante Kotoko’s Brazilian midfielder Fabio Gama as Ashantigold comes face to face with Asante Kotoko.

Cirkovic in an interview with Kumasi based Oyerepa FM says, he will map a strategy that will work around the entire Asante Kotoko team, and not only Fabio Gama.

The Brazilian has been in top form since his debut for the Porcupine warriors against Medeama SC.

The Brazilian has passed a late fitness test for the Derby after picking a knock in their home game against Aduana Stars.

But Cirkovic maintains the left-footed offensive player is no special to deserve special attention.

“I Know about him [Fabio Gama] a very good player but he’s not special to get me thinking. There are equally good players at Asante Kotoko. We are preparing like any other game’- Cirkovic Milovan told Oyerepa FM.

The two sides go head to head on Sunday looking for a win that will keep the winner at the top of the Ghana Premier league table.

Asante Kotoko trek to Obuasi having lost at home to Aduana,  while Ashantigold will be seeking to rewind the 5-2 loss they suffered at the hands of Legon Cities.

Source:442gh

Highly-rated attacker Hafiz Konkoni was on target on Friday afternoon as Bechem United thrashed Techiman Eleven Wonders 3-1 in the Ghana Premier League.

The two sides met at the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park in a match-day 11 battle in the ongoing 2020/21 season.

After a feisty start in the first half, visiting Techiman Eleven Wonders opened the scoring in the 17th minute courtesy of a strike from Samuel Boakye.

After the recess, Bechem United improved upfront, determined to avoid defeat in front of their supporters. They controlled the game creating some decent opportunities.

On the back of an impressive sequence of attacking play, the home team finally had the breakthrough in the 71st minute when Owusu Boakye Emmanuel scored through a penalty kick.

Star man Hafiz Konkoni put the Hunters ahead before Listowell Amankonah sealed a massive 3-1 win for Bechem United on the stroke of full-time.

The crucial three points see the team from Bechem climbing to the summit of the Ghana Premier League table.