Accra Hearts of Oak face off with Berekum Chelsea in a Matchday 12 fixture at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday - looking for their second consecutive League win without a substantive head coach following the dismissal of Martin Koopman.
The former Champions managed a 2-1 victory against Accra Lions in week 11 and will be hoping to improve on their performance against a Berekum Chelsea side that have been impressive on the road in recent weeks after victories over Dreams FC and Medeama SC At Dawu and Tarkwa.
Hearts of Oak are 9th in the league having gone unbeaten in their last 5 matches - 2 wins, 3 draws and also hold an enviable unbeaten home record after picking two wins and three draws in Accra. The Rainbow boys have scored 4 and conceded 1 goal in the process.
Berekum Chelsea are currently 3rd in the league table with 19 points - 4 points richer than Hearts of Oak and remains the only side to have won their last four league games with back-to-back away wins.
The Phobians have beaten Berekum Chelsea in all three meetings in Accra since the 2020/21 season - scoring 7 goals and conceding 1 against the Blues. Winger Stephen Amankona who has scored 5 goals in this campaign will lead the lines with the likes of Lord Amoah, Kuffour Asamoah, Zakaria Fuseini, Awuah Dramani, Flavien Kouassi Kongoza and Yaw Dankwah all ready for action.
Hearts of Oak youngster Hamza Issah will be looking to add to his 5 goal tally to help his side grab all the points. Glid Otanga Mvouo, Dennis Korsah, Enock Asubonteng, Salifu Ibrahim, Michael Ampadu and Kelvin Asibey are all available for the game.
The game will be broadcast live on StarTimes Adepa channel 247 at 3pm on Sunday, November 26, 2023.
At Nsenkyire Sports Complex at Sameraboi, FC Samartex 1996 will battle Real Tamale United. FC Samartex 1996 are 4th in the league log with 17 points having scored 11 and conceded 6 goals and despite their superb home run, they’ve recorded 2 wins, 1 draw and 2 defeats in their last 5 matches.
Nurudeen Amadu’s side are unbeaten at home this season after winning all 5 home games thus far. FC Samartex have scored 11 and conceded 1 - making them very potent in front of the home fans. Real Tamale United have won 1, drawn 1 and suffered 3 defeats in their last five games and are currently 11th with 14 points.
The Tamale lads boasts only 1 away win in the League and will be aiming to grab another famous victory on the road - this time against a side that have yet to drop points at home since the start of the season. FC Samartex 1996 have hosted Real Tamale United once at the Nsenkyire Sports Complex since making their debut in the 2022/23 season - with the Timber giants cruising to a 3-0 win.
Forward Owusu Afriyie who remains the only player to score a hat-trick in the League, aims to add to his 6 Premier League goals on Sunday after shaking off a knock to avail himself for the match. Mohammed Alhassan Mankuyeli, Jorge Renchi, Adams Hafiz, Iddrisu Gadafi, Rauf Mahamudu and Abdul Aziz are all available for selection.
Elsewhere - midfielder Emmanuel Keyekeh and forward Baba Hamadu Musa who have 3 goals each for FC Samartex will be pushing for their 12th start of the season having featured in all 11 League games thus far. Ebenezer Ocran, Richmond Darko, Ebenezer Acquah, Isaac Afful, Emmanuel Mamah and shot stopper Kofi Baah who has 5 clean sheets in the league are all available for the clash on Sunday.
Meanwhile bottom placed Heart of Lions will travel to Nsoatreman FC in search of their first Premier League win. Lions are winless in 11 League games having amassed paltry 7 points from a possible 23. They have lost twice and drawn three of their last five away games - scored 5 and conceded 7.
Nsoatreman FC have scored 8 goals at home but are yet to concede and hold an unbeaten home record in the ongoing League. Maxwell Konadu's side are second in the league table with 20 points - one point behind leaders Aduana FC having won 2, drawn 1 and suffered 2 losses in their last five matches. The two sides will be meeting in the Premier League for the first time.
Abdul Manaf Umar (5 goals) for Nsoatreman FC willbe paraded alongside Mohammed Issaka, Mohammed Abdul Rahaman, Stephan Diyou , Meider Kwabena, Emmanuel Kotei and Philip Ofori.
Maxwell Konadu who led his side to three wins and one draw to win the coach of the month for October, will lead his side for the first time since he won the award.
Finally on Sunday - leaders Aduana FC who suffered a 2-1 loss to Karela United on Matchday 11 aim to return to winning ways as they face Accra Lions at the Nana Agyemang Badu I Park.
A win over Accra Lions will keep Aduana FC on top of the League log. Yaw Acheampong's side have won 4 and lost 1 in their last 5 matches - as Accra Lions occupy the 14th spot with 13 points. Aduana FC have an incredible home record having won all 5 home games, scored 13 and conceded 3. All two previous meetings at Nana Agyemang Badu I Park - ended in stalemates - 1-1 in 2021/22 as well as the 2022/23 season.
League top scorer Isaac Mintah (9 goals) is expected to blend with winger Emmanuel Gyamfi (5 goals) up front. The likes of Kelvin Obeng, Frank Owusu, Kyereme Silas, Alex Boakye, Rich Sackey and Sam Adams are all available for selection.
Abass Samari Salifu is back from injury and looks very likely to start for Accra Lions after scoring a goal against Hearts of Oak in week 11. Remember Adomako Boateng, Ali Mohammed, Abass Salifu, Shawkan Hunalf Mohammed, Emmanuel Dzigbah, Baba Salifu Apiiga and Yahaya Mohammed also expect to feature.
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