Can Hearts silence Aduana Stars?
Accra Hearts of Oak will attempt to maintain their strong run over Aduana Stars in the nation’s capital when they welcome the Dormaa-Ahenkro side to the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday in the week’s Premier League top fixture.
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Despite the hosts’ unconvincing performance in their home games this season with only four wins in eight appearances, they would be buoyed by their 1-1 drawn game in the first round at the Nana Agyemang Badu Park at Dormaa-Ahenkro, particularly with the opponents’ inconsistent away form.
Aduana currently occupy the fourth spot on the log with 29 points, just a point off third-placed Hearts, but the poor away record of Chioba Aristica’s side who have just two victories in eight games, could give the Phobian faithful an assurance even though a win by either side could propel them to the top of the table.
The two sides have some of the league’s top talents and will be guided by two expatriate coaches, Romanian Aristica in the Aduana dugout and Portuguese Sergio Traguil directing affairs from the Hearts side.
Aduana will be led in attack by the league’s leading marksman, Yahaya Mohammed, who has scored 11 goals, with strong support from skipper Godfred Saka, Francis Aduhene, Emmanuel Allan and goalkeeper Stephen Adams.
Coach Traguil, who will be chasing his second win in his third league match, is expected to parade a strong side around the club’s leading scorer Cosmos Dauda (seven goals), new sensation Patrick Razak, Samudeen Ibrahim and Isaac Mensah, Mustapha Essuman, Robin Gnagne and Owusu Bempah.
Fresh from their President’s Cup victory, second-placed Kumasi Asante Kotoko will storm the Tema Stadium to face Inter Allies, who are unbeaten at home since their 2-3 loss to Hearts on March 20.
Kotoko know that a win could propel them to the top spot as they trail leaders Wa All Stars by just a point, but they will face a strong opposition as the home side are desperate to climb out of the relegation zone and will seek to build on their fine home run.
Elsewhere, Techiman City, who are unbeaten at home play host to a WAFA side who are yet to record an away win this season, in a clash of mid-table sides with contrasting fortunes.
All eyes would be at the Wa Park as defending champions, Ashgold battle leaders All Stars who are unbeaten at home and favourites to win, while the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park will host a regional derby between Bechem United and Berekum Chelsea which promises to be full of fireworks.
Struggling Ebusua Dwarfs play host to Sekondi Hasaacas at the Robert Mensah Stadium in Cape Coast, New Edubiase United would not have it easy at home when they play Liberty Professionals at Bekwai, while Medeama and Dreams FC sort it out at the Tarkwa T&A Park.