Match Preview: Real Bamako vs Hearts of Oak, Team News, Predicted Lineups & TV Coverage Caf Confederation Cup
AS Real Bamako and Hearts of Oak will face off in the second preliminary round of the Caf Confederation Cup Saturday evening 4pm at Stade du 26 Mars.
The Malian side progressed to this phase after a 3-1 penalties victory over Burkina Faso outfit AS Douanes Ouagadougou. Both legs of the first preliminary round had ended goalless before AS Real Bamako finally sealed a 3-1 penalties win at home two weeks ago.
Unlike the Malian side who have had two tastes of the competition, Hearts of play their first game in the Caf Confederation Cup after been handed a walkover in the first preliminary round.
Inactiveness could have impacted the Accra based side but three Ghana Premier League games on road is a somehow a good preparations towards this weekend’s fixture. Hearts of Oak have failed to win any of their league games before the Ghana Premier League season was suspended at week 3.
Despite any victory, the former Ghana league champions walk on a good news of assembling and having fair knowledge about their team just like Real Bamako who already understand their team from the two games against AS Douanes Ouagadougou.
Hearts of Oak lost 1-0 to Aduana Stars in opening day of the Ghana Premier League , drew in derbies against Great Olympics and Asante Kotoko.
The two draws leave Hearts 14th position on the Ghana Premier League table.
Real Bamako need to be watchful of some key Hearts of Oak men. The likes of Gladson Awako, Samuel Inkoom, Afriyie Barnieh could pose a threat to the Malian side.
Gladson Awako has helped Berekum Chelsea reach the group stages of the Caf Champions League in 2012 and also played a major role in TP Mazembe’s African football dominance between 2014 and 2017. Awako, 31 has recently be a central figure in Ghana’s qualification to 2023 CHAN in Algeria.
Along with Afriyie Barnieh who emerged Black Galaxies’ top scorer in the CHAN qualifiers. Barnieh, 21, has received Black Stars call-up for Pre-World Cup friendlies against Brazil and Nicaragua as Ghana lost and won respectively.
Barnieh featured in victory over Nicaragua in Spain and nearly scored. Samuel Inkoom was in the first eleven when Ghana stormed the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa and was part of the Black Stars squad at Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Despite failing to score from open play over the two legs, Real Bamako will pose scoring threat especially when they are playing at Stade du 26 Mars in Bamako. Hearts of Oak must be aware of Moussa Kone and Ibourahima Sidibe who will be instrumental if Real Bamako is to carry the day.
Team News- Real Bamako
The 2022-2023 Malian Premier League has not yet started with Real Bamako only featuring in the Caf Confederation Cup so far beating Burkina Faso side AS Douanes on penalties after goalless over a two-legged affair in the first Preliminary round.
The Malian giants have no major injury worries with the likes of Makan Sambaly, Abdoulaye Mariko, Aboubacar Wague and Cheickna Diakite expected to start against Hearts of Oak.
Team News- Hearts of Oak
The Ghana Premier League has been suspended due to court injunction placed by Ash Gold but Hearts of Oak have began preparations for Real Bamako since Monday. The Ghanaian side touched down in Mali on Thursday evening and expected to train at the match venue Friday.
The Ghanaian side have vowed to surprised the Malian side in the first leg as they name a strong 22-man squad.
Hearts meanwhile have seen changes in their technical department after firing Samuel Boadu a week ago and appointed David Ocloss as assistance coach but acting as the interim specifically for Real Bamako games while a search for permanent boss continues with likes of last season’s Ghana Premier League winner with rivals Aante Kotoko Dr. Prosper Narteh Ogum and former Black Stars coach and one who guided Kotoko to 2018 Caf Confederation Cup group stage C.K Akonnor linked.
Central African Republic international Yassan Ouatching has recovered on time to be part of the traveling squad to Mali while Salifu Ibrahim is left behind after the play-maker failed to pass a late fitness test.
Cameroonian International Junior Kaaba also travelled while Dr. Congo International Linda Mtange missed out.
Youngsters Gideon Asante and Rashid Okine have been handed places in the 22-man squad list with newly-signed midfielder Prince Nana Kwasi Darmang.
Hearts traveled squad
Defenders: Fatawu Mohammed, Samuel Inkoom, Rashid Okine, Dennis Korsah, Robert Addo Sowah, Konadu Yiadom, Caleb Amankwah, Mohammed Alhassan, Zakaria Yakubu
Midfielders: Daniel Kordie, Seidu Suraj, Enoch Asubonteng, Gladson Awako, Gideon Asante, Prince Nana Kwesi Darmang
Hearts of Oak Predicted XI: Richard Atta, Samuel Inkoom, Mohammed Alhassan, Konadu Yiadom, Dennis Korsah, Daniel Kordie, Suraj Seidu, Gladson Awako, Daniel Afriyie Barnieh, Kwadwo Obeng Junior, Junior Kaaba
TV Coverage
The game will not be live on TV in Mali and Ghana. But fans in these countries can boost their chances on YouTube for live streaming.
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