Hearts of Oak playing a tough game in Ghana League opener
The 2022-2023 Ghana Premier League season starts Saturday 10th September with Hearts of Oak making a trip to a difficult zone Dorman against Aduana Stars Football Club on Sunday.
Hearts failed to defend their title last season after losing out on the trophy to rivals Asante Kotoko who’s Ghana Premier League first game against Nsoatreman FC has been postponed due to African game against RC Kadiogo in Benin.
It’s going to be a tough contest for the title this season between Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko after both clubs strengthening their squad. Hearts of Oak have added several names but the most notable ones are foreigners Junior Kaaba, Yassan Ouatching and Linda Mtange.
Hearts have also announced a deal for top notch defender Konadu Yiadom from West African Football Academy (WAFA) who played for Ghana in CHAN qualifiers and were linked with a move to Asante Kotoko this summer but the deal failed before the Phobians got a deal done and dusted.
Kaaba joined Hearts of Oak from Cameroonian side Fauvre FC, Yassan Ouatching joined in a two year deal on a free transfer, while Linda Mtange joined from Dr. Congo side AS Dauphin Noir. Ouatching, Kaaba and Mtange have already started preseason with Hearts and all have scored in preseason friendlies, and will be available to making their debut against Aduana Stars the weekend.
Aduana Stars remain one of the best forces in the Ghanaian top flight ending last season on the 11th position- one of the poor finish on the table since promotion to the Ghana Premier League in 2009. They eventually lifted the league title in the following season (2010) to make history by becoming the first club to win the Ghana Premier League in the debut season.
Aduana Stars are one of the favourites to win the Ghana Premier League. But they will be competing with Kotoko, Hearts, Bechem United, Medeama SC for the ultimate.
Last season, Aduana Stars beat Hearts of Oak in their own backyard Agyeman Badu Stadium 2-0 before drawing 1-1 in the second leg at the Accra Sports Stadium.
There has been little transfer activity at Aduana Stars which means Hearts of Oak will be playing against a consistent side tomorrow afternoon. Hearts are likely to face experienced Aduana men Emmanuel Gyamfi, Prince Acquah, Yahaya Mohammed, Kwame Adom Frimpong who were once players for Asante Kotoko.
Hearts of Oak have equally experienced side and may have boosted in that sphere ahead of the season after six players Konadu Yiadom, Mohammed Alhassan, Dennis Nkrumah Korsah, Gladson Awako, Seidu Suraj and Afriyie Barnieh helped Black Galaxies to qualify for 2023 CHAN finals in Algeria. All the players were starters in the qualifying period with exception of Seidu Suraj.
Hearts of Oak have seen their Black Galaxies players joined Phobia camp for the Aduana Stars clash with the likes of Barnieh, Mo Alhassan, Gladson Awako, Korsah and Yiadom expected to start on Sunday.
Hearts of Oak would have liked it opening the season at home against a relatively small side. Playing the first game against Aduana at Dormaa put the FA Cup title holders on special preparations that may require extra performance on matchday to beat their opponents.
A loss will dent Hearts’ chances for the title.
