Lions dare Hearts in Accra
Accra Hearts of Oak's ability to cling onto the second spot of the First Capital Plus Premier League log faces a challenging test when third-placed Heart of Lions dare them at home soil at the Accra Stadium on Sunday.
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The Phobians have clung tenaciously to the second position since the start of the second round but their 3-1 battering at the hands of Liberty Professionals last Wednesday must have given the Kpando lads something to hope for and it certainly will boost their confidence in this crunch deal.
In the wake of this encounter, Coach Mohammed Polo has lost his most safest pair of hands, Philemon McCarthy, who was substituted at half-time with a twisted ankle in their last game at the Carl Reindorf Park at Dansoman.
McCarthy joins a growing injury list which includes Gilbert Fiamenyo, Romeo Agban, Kofi Abanga, Gerald Odupong, Ezekiel Tetteh, Moro Abubakr, Obed Ansah, Thomas Abbey and Kenneth Okoro.
However, the return of goalkeeper Tetteh Luggard is enough to keep the Lions attack of Isaac Osae and Samuel Yeboah at bay.
The game will be spiced by Lions coach, Yusif Abubakar, who appeared to have some personal scores to settle with the Phobians after he was sacked by the Hearts management with just a game (incidentally against Lions) to end the 2010 season.
The former Gamba All Blacks coach took charge of 18 league matches with Hearts after replacing Egyptian trainer Ayman El Yamani, and will have a chance to show his former masters what they are missing by recording a famous victory in Accra.
League leaders, Kumasi Asante Kotoko, will go in search of their first win in four games when Bechem United storm the Baba Yara Stadium on Sunday.
In other games, Wa All Stars face Amidaus Professionals at the Wa Park, Medeama SC host King Faisal at the T&A Park, Ebusua Dwarfs battle Ashgold at the Robert Mensah Stadium in Cape Coast, Aduana Stars host Liberty Professionals at the Dormaa-Ahenkro Park and New Edubiase United welcome Berekum Chelsea to the Gyamfi Park.
Tomorrow at the Tema Park, Inter Allies take on Sekondi Hasaacas.