Can Dreams FC scupper Hearts’ ambitions?
It was never one of the predictions of connoisseurs, neither was it on the radar of the organisers, the Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA), but tomorrow, two of the unlikely finalists, Accra Hearts of Oak and premiership returnees, Dawu-based Dreams FC, clash in the G8 preseason final at the Cape Coast Stadium for their first silverware in 2018.
From nerve-shredding opening group matches, where Hearts struggled to win 1-0 against Karela FC and Dreams FC lost by the same scoreline to Aduana Stars, no one gave each of them the dog’s chance to make it to the grand finale but perhaps their mottoes did.
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The motto of Hearts, ‘Never Say Die’ and that of Dreams, ‘Believe,’ could be the underlying tonic to the sides that were totally ruled out even before the commencement of the tournament.
The management of Hearts had issues with player recalcitrance following the expiration of contracts of key players while Dreams were unsure of their renewed strength to face off at the big stage one more time.
But when it mattered most, the two finalists demonstrated inner tenacity to pick the final tickets at the expense of Kumasi Asante Kotoko and Medeama respectively to pull through.
Hearts won 4-2 on penalties against Kotoko in Kumasi while Dreams recorded a 6-5 victory also on penalties over Medeama to book a place in the final.
The two unexpected performances of the finalists could be a foreshadow of things to come at the commencement of the 2018/2019 Premier League season and a wakeup call to Ghana’s two representatives in Africa next month.
That notwithstanding, Hearts and Dreams are expected to sell out an expected great match to fans. Dreams’ captain Leonard Owusu, Sharani Zuberu and Richard Addea would form the fearsome three to harass the Hearts defence to pick the ultimate prize.
But that would greatly depend on how quick the likes of talisman, Samudeen Ibrahim, Richard Zuma and Christopher Bonney would react.
No doubt, there would be plenty to play for tomorrow including pride, cash and the trophy to add to the collections of each club. The winner of the two-week tournament takes home GH¢10,000.
Ahead of the tournament each of the eight teams was given GH¢20,000 to prepare and in addition the semifinalists, Hearts, Kotoko, Medeama and Dreams FC were given GH¢5,000 each.
