Accra Hearts of Oak turned the corner against Medeama SC in midweek to get their campaign back on track following a near fatal start to the season.
The former League champions who had gone four games without a win scored three first half goals to beat the League champions 3-1 at the Accra Sports stadium – handing them their second win of the season and their first at home since September 24 when they beat Nsoatteman FC 1-0.
The Phobians are winless in three away games – after losing to Real Tamale United (1-0) and Bofoakwa Tano (1-0) with the other game against Bibiani Gold Stars ending in a draw (1-1). Their last visit to Tamale ended in disappointment as they fell 1-0 to Real Tamale United on Matchday One.
The Phobians will travel up-north to play Karela United Football Club at the Aliu Mahama stadium on Saturday. Goals have been hard to come by - having scored 5 goals and conceded four in seven League games but aims to build on the performance against Medeama SC in midweek.
Martin Koopman and his team came under immense pressure after the draw against FC Samartex but the win over Medeama SC and the vital point against Bibiani Gold Stars seem to have calm nerves boosting their confidence ahead of the clash in Tamale.
Karela United have yet to hit the ground running since their switch from Aiyinase to Tamale for the 2023/24 season – they have won only once at the Aliu Mahama stadium. Karela United have drawn three and lost the other game in their last four outings in Tamale – a trend that gives Hearts of Oak a boost going into this encounter.
Shaibu Tanko’s side drew 1-1 against Bibiani Gold Stars, (0-0) against Bofoakwa Tano, 0-0 against Accra Great Olympics before losing 3-2 to city rivals Real Tamale United. Coach Shaibu Tanko’s side sits in 16th place with 8 points while Hearts of Oak occupy the 13th place with 9 points – with one game in hand.
Maxwell Arthur, Samuel Arthur, Maxwell Agyemang, Evans Adomako Wiredu, Abdul Fatawu Mohammed and George Amonoo are available to start for Karela United.
For Accra Hearts of Oak Coach Martin Koopman is likely to maintain the team that beat Medeama SC on Wednesday. Hamza Issah who has scored three goals in his last two starts looks set for another starting place alongside Michael Ampadu, Ramos Kashala, Enoch Asubonteng, Ibrahim Salifu and Martin Karikari.
The game will which be played at the Aliu Mahama stadium at 3pm will be broadcast live on StarTimes Adepa channel 247 on Saturday, November 4, 2023.
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