Chelsea pose a threat to champions, Bechem Utd

By Bernard Neequaye

The 2016 MTN FA Cup champions, Bechem United, face a daunting task in their effort to retain the title, having been handed a very threatening Round of 16 away  tie against Berekum  Chelsea on Sunday.

Last year, Bechem defied all odds to get to the final, but this season with most Ghana Premier League (GPL) clubs keen on winning a trophy, Bechem may not realised their dream of claiming a back-to-back title, unless they are able to at least stop Chelsea on Sunday.

When they clashed in the first round of the GPL at Bechem, they played to a 1-1 draw result and Chelsea, playing at  in this FA Cup tie, will have their confidence boosted to have the edge over their regional rivals.

Another tricky encounter for two GPL sides is the game between Medeama FC and Elmina Sharks at the Tarkwa T& A Park, with a revenge top on the agenda for both sides. When they met in the GPL, Medeama won 3-1 at home and Sharks responded appropriately with a 2-0 win at their home at the Nduom Park. With only one side set to advance, it will indeed, be a do-and-die affair at Tarkwa.

Fully aware of the tricky nature of facing unfancied sides in the knockout competition,s Accra Hearts of Oak will tread cautiously but confidently when they honour their away tie against Young Wise at the Zaytuna Park at Amanfrom as the round of 16 ties of the MTN FA Cup ties are honoured this weekend.

The FA Cup has remained elusive to the Phobians for the past 17 years and they are keen on adding that silverware to their collection and will thus go into the game against Young Wise with the same vim they have tackled their league matches.

After the 5-0 mauling by WAFA, Hearts bounced back with a 4-0 thrashing of Bolga All Stars in their Ghana Premier League (GPL) match last week, a result that seems to have brought back the confidence of the Phobian lads, and which has revived their hope of getting the desired results in the FA Cup as well.

Though Hearts boast of an enviable record in the FA Cup competition, having won it the most on 10 occasions,  they are yet to lift the trophy since the competition was reintroduced  in 2011, and they see this season as their best chance to be champions again

Depending on his game plan and how he rates his opponents, Coach Frank Nuttall may rest his key players and rather hand  chances to the likes of Isaac Mensah, Samurdeen Ibrahim, Paul Acquah and Eric Kumi  who are keen to impress to prove their worth against the Division One League (DOL) side.

Minnows, Young Wise, on the other hand, will come the full hog, hoping to continue their giant killing feat in this season’s competition,having eliminated Great Olympics at the Round of 64 stage before beating Okyeman Planners in the Round of 32.

Kumasi Asante Kotoko also face a cagey DOL challenge as they host Wassaman United at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Sunday, hoping to put their troubling GPL campaign behind them and challenge for the competition.

WAFA travel to the Tema Stadium to engage former top flight side Amidaus Professionals on Sunday.

Other matches on Sunday will see Premier League champions Wa All Stars travel to face FC Samartex at Samreboi, WAFA travel to Tema to face Amidaus Professionals, while W. Nea Salamina host Steadfast FC at Dormaa-Ahenkro, all on Sunday.

  Liberty Professionals will visit the Nungua Town Park where they play Danbort FC tomorrow.