FootyDream

Inform Nations FC will be tussling with former champions Accra Hearts of Oaks at the Dr. Kwame Kyei Sports Complex in Abrankese on Saturday.

Nations FC head into the game fresh from their 2-1 win over Aduana FC, while Hearts of Oak are in search of only their second win on the road having suffered a 3-2 defeat in the Super clash against their arch rivals Asante Kotoko on Sunday.

Nations FC, a newly promoted side, are unbeaten in their last 5 games having won all and conceded just one goal in the process.  They currently occupy the 5th position with 23 points – 3 points behind leaders FC Samartex and one adrift of second placed Aduana FC.

Nations FC have accumulated 17 points at home this season with and remain one of the unbeaten sides with a record of 5 wins and 2 draws, having scored 13 and conceded 4 goals.

The Abrankese lads are flying high in the campign but same canot be said about Accra Hearts of Oak who are winless since Novemeber 21, when they beat Accra Lions 2-1 in Accra.

The Phobians currently sit 9^th  in the league table with 16 points after one win, two draws and two defeats in their last 5 matches.

The former champions have won only once on the road, drawn 3 and suffered 3 defeats away from home.

Hearts of Oak are yet to record victory outside tAccra Sports Stadium since their 1-0 win over Medeama on January 28, 2023 at the Akoon Park in Tarkwa.

Head coach Kasim Mingle Ocansey’s side will host the Phobians for the first time in Premier League history and will fancy their chances against Hearts of Oak on the evidence of their current form.

Hearts of Oak have played against newly promoted sides in an away games 7 times since 2021/22 season and have won 4, drawn 1 and lost 2.

Young chap Hamza Issah has banged in 5 goals and is expected to start the game on Saturday. Sadly, Salifu Ibrahim is a doubt after sustaining an injury against Asante Kotoko. That notwithstanding, the likes of Enock Asubonteng, Kelvin Osei Asibey, Linda Mtange, Glid Otanga Mvouo, Dennis Korsah and Kofi Agbesimah are all available for the game on Saturday.

Barimah Baah is the top scorer of Nations FC and will hope to add to his 4-goal tally on Saturday. Other players include, Asamoah Boateng Afriyie, Prince Acquah, Emmanuel Agyemang, Emmanuel Boahene, Amidou Diarra, Victor Oduro, Japheth Norvienyo, Micheal Awuah and Nafiu Sulemana.

The game will be broadcast live on StarTimes Adepa channel 247 at 3pm on Saturday.

-GFA

Aduana FC pip Bechem United 1-0 to return to the top of the Premier League table.

The two-time chanpions who went into the game looking for their seventh home win, shot into the lead through Bright Adjei in the 17th minute.

Aduana FC had a setback against Accra Lions on Matchday 12 as they lost 1-0 to Ibrahim Tanko’s side.

The Dormaa lads dictated the best moments in the game to unlock the defence of the Hunters.

Bright Adjei started the build up from midfield and found Zakaria Mumuni on the right side before firing home from Mumuni’s feable cross.

Bechem United’s front three of Emmanuel Avonyor, Augustine Okrah and Cephas Mantey forced for the equalizer in the second half but the defence of Aduana FC nullified their threat and hanged on to end Bechem United’s 10-match unbeaten run.

The win takes Aduana FC to the top of the table with 27 points – one point richer than second placed FC Samartex who travel to Bibiani Gold Stars on Sunday.

Interim Hearts of Oak coach, Abdul Bashiru has confirmed that he hopes to be named as the new head coach of the Rainbow Club.

Bashiru worked with Martin Koopman as the assistant coach for the club.

However, after Koopman left the club on mutual grounds, the former Legon Cities assistant coach has been named as the interim coach for the club.

With reports in the local media suggesting that the leadership of the club are in search of a new head trainer, Abdul Bashiru says he sincerely hopes to be named as the substantive head trainer of the club.

“I sincerely hope to be appointed as Hearts of Oak’s full-time head coach because, without a doubt, I am the coach with the ability to turn the fortunes of the club around,” he told Kumasi-based Akoma FM.

Hearts of Oak after the 3-2 defeat against Asante Kotoko over the weekend will hope to return to winning ways when they travel to face Nations FC at the Dr Kwame Kyei Sports Complex in the matchday 15 games.

Asante Kotoko midfielder Richmond Lamptey has heaped praise on teammate Isaac Oppong while tipping him to attain a greater height of his career.

The youngster has been one of the top performers for the Porcupine Warriors in the ongoing Ghana Premier League season after recovering from injury.

Oppong exhibited his skills last Sunday when Kotoko defeated Hearts of Oak in the week 14 of the domestic top-flight campaign.

He was on target when the Porcupine Warriors inflicted a 3-2 win over Hearts of Oak at the Baba Yara Stadium.

Speaking to the club’s media, Lamptey predicted his teammate will attain a greater height in his career considering his qualities.

“Isaac Oppong has a bright future. He is a talented player, very skillful and difficult for opponent players to dispossessed him of the ball, such players usually go far in their career” he said.

Asante Kotoko will face Great Olympics in the Ghana Premier League week 15 clash this weekend.

The Porcupine Warriors are currently 7th on the league standings with 22 points after 14 games.

Hearts of Oak board member Dr. Nyaho-Nyaho Tamakloe proposes that Abdul Bashiru, who is now the interim coach, could be appointed head coach if he produces good outcomes.

Abdul Bashiru took on the job of acting coach after Martin Koopman’s contract was mutually terminated due to a bad run of results. Abdul Bashiru led the squad in their most recent matchday 14 encounter against Asante Kotoko, which they lost 3-2 at Baba Yara Stadium.

Dr. Nyaho Tamakloe lauded Bashiru in an interview with Asempa FM for his skills as a trainer and made a suggestion that should he lead the squad to victory, he might take over as head coach.

“We had a substantive coach who left, and his position has been taken over by the assistant, and to me, he has done well, and to me, he is the acting coach,” said Dr Nyaho Tamakloe.

He emphasized the need to carefully observe Bashiru’s performance, stating, “We are not going to make any hasty move because we know exactly what we are doing, and I can assure you that when we get good results with him, he could be confirmed as the head coach.”

Abdul Bashiru was forced to leave the MTN FA Cup competition early after losing to Nania FC on penalties. He has gone on to suffer consecutive defeats to Aduana FC and Asante Kotoko in the league.

Nations FC will host Hearts of Oak at the Dr. Kwame Kyei Sports Complex for match-day 15 games.