Hearts to deepen Olympics’ woes?
A local derby involving two age old rivals, Accra Hearts of Oak and Accra Great Olympics, is set to light up the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday when they clash on Match Day Six of the Ghana Premier League (GPL).
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Irrespective of the form of these two Accra teams, such derbies generate a lot of interest and that is what is likely to happen on Sunday, more so when both sides are in desperate need of upliftment in their performance in the league.
Hearts look to have the advantage though, and would be out to exploit it to their benefit, but Olympics would also fancy a win against their arch-rivals who have been their bogey side for so many years now, as they seek to lift themselves from the bottom rungs of the league table where they currently find themselves.
That could be a daunting task considering the contrasting performances and form of both teams so far this season.
Hearts of Oak had their undefeated reputation intact until Aduana Stars crashed their smooth ride in the league this season with a 2-0 defeat at Dormaa-Ahenkro last Sunday.
For Godwin Attram’s Olympics, they are yet to record their first victory in the league since their return this season, and it appears the effect of the experience of ‘old guards’ such as Dan Quaye and goalkeeper, Osei Boateng, is yet to be felt by the ‘Dade boys’.
The combination of Quaye and Christopher Nettey at the rear has leaked goals and there is no consolation that Boateng is in the goal post either as his reflexes are not as sharp as they were in his hey days, a situation that has raised some concerns among Olympics fans who fear the worst should Patrick Razak, Isaac Mensah, Malik Akowuah, Thomas Abbey and Cosmos Dauda come to the party for the Phobians on Sunday.
Playing his first derby in the GPL, Hearts’ coach, Frank Elliot Nuttall, may tinker with his favourite 4-3-2-1 formation which proved costly against Aduana Stars last Sunday, while Attram looks to maintain his attacking pair of Abel Manomey and Reginald Thompson with David Amuzu supporting from the flanks.
No matter what, Hearts look the favourite as they have proved superior of the two sides and have won five of their last eight outings with the other three ending in a draw.
In other fixtures Ashgold would want to put their embarrassing 1-5 defeat to Berekum Chelsea last week behind when they host Bechem United at the Len Clay Stadium. Leaders, Aduana Stars trek to the El-Wak Stadium to face Inter Allies.
The Tarkwa T&A park will witness a cracking encounter between Medeama SC and Wa All Stars, Berekum Chelsea are motivated to teach Elmina Sharks some football lessons when they play at the Ndoum Stadium in Elmina, while Kotoko travel to Bolgatanga to play Bolga All Stars, who are fast learning that this elite GPL is no child’s play.
WAFA and Tema Youth are expected to dish out some entertaining football at the Sogakope Park and the Dansoman Carl Reindorf Park is where Liberty Professionals are expected to cut Dwarfs to size.