Ashgold, Hearts to shake Len Clay

Finishing tops at the halfway mark of the First Capital Plus League remains the target of league leaders, Ashantigold, as they host Accra Hearts of Oak at the Obuasi Len Clay Stadium this afternoon.

The miners, now on 28 points from 14 games, will be seeking to bounce back from their disappointing 0-1 loss to Wa All Stars which saw the chasing pack led by second-placed Aduana Stars cut the lead to three points.

A lot of the victories chalked up by Bashir Hayford's side this season can be attributed to the goal scoring prowess of their attacking duo of Yakubu Mohammed and Bernard Morrison who between them have contributed 10 out of Ashgold's 17 goals.

Hearts’ domestic form as compared to their continental campaign have been polar opposites. Herbert Addo's side has been unable to win in four attempts in their travels since pipping bitter rivals, Kumasi Asante Kotoko, 1-0 on February 7 but have miraculously managed away wins over Olympique Ngor (3-2) and Djoliba (2-1) in the CAF Confederation Cup.

Last Sunday's draw against city rivals, Accra Great Olympics, halted a three-game winning streak for the Phobians but with eight-goal hero, Gilbert Fiamenyo, back to full fitness the Phobians will be confident of upsetting the Miners and improving on the 10th place on the league log.

History also favours Ashgold heading into the tie having won seven, drawn four and lost five of the last 16 meetings between the two sides.

At the Baba Yara Stadium, Coach David Duncan goes in search of his third league win when his stuttering Kotoko side hosts Heart of Lions.

Duncan was heralded as the second-coming saviour by a section of the club's fans when he took charge of Kotoko, winning two games against Bechem United (1-3) and Liberty Professionals (1-0) but is without a win since a disappointing loss to MC El Eulma in the CAF Champions League.

Victory will see ninth placed Kotoko bypass seventh placed Lions on the league log as both teams are separated by a point on the standings with 19 and 20 points respectively.   

In Sogakope, third-placed West Africa Football Academy (WAFA) play sixth-placed Wa All Stars, Berekum Chelsea contend with fifth-place Inter Allies at the Golden City Park, Medeama Sporting Club lock horns with bottom club Brong Ahafo United at the  Tarkwa and Aboso Park and Bechem United battle 12th-placed Sekondi Hasaacas.

In other match day 15 ties, Liberty Professionals battle Aduana Stars at the Dansoman Park and Richard Kingson will be gunning for his fifth consecutive clean sheet when his Accra Great Olympics team face New Edubiase United at the Accra Sports Stadium.