Bofoakwa Tano, making their return, will face Hearts of Oak at the Sunyani Coronation Park this Saturday after securing 4 points from their first two matches.
Bofoakwa began the season with a well-deserved draw against Accra Great Olympics (0-0) and followed it up with an impressive 2-1 victory over Real Tamale United, marking their first Premier League home win in 16 years.
Bofoakwa Tano is one of four clubs that remain unbeaten after the first two games of the season, and they are determined to secure points against Accra Hearts of Oak, who faced a setback in their recent away game.
Bofoakwa Tano has not defeated Accra Hearts of Oak since 1995, a record that dates back to the Premier League era of 1993/94, spanning 18 games without a win against the Phobians.
Hearts of Oak’s away record against newly promoted sides since the 2021/22 season consists of four wins, two losses, and one draw. They secured a 3-0 victory against Accra Lions, won 1-0 against Gold Stars in Bibiani, and drew 0-0 with Real Tamale United in the 2021/22 season. In the 2022/23 season, they won 1-0 against Kotoku Royals in Cape Coast, claimed a 1-0 victory against Nsoatreman FC, suffered a 4-1 defeat against Tamale City, and lost 3-2 to FC Samartex at Sameraboi.
The Phobians have embarked on a rebuilding exercise after a disappointing season, signing approximately 10 new players to bolster the squad. Players like Samuel Inkoom, Gladson Awako, Konadu Yiadom, Yassan Ouatching, Clinton Appiah, Zakaria Yakubu, Hamza Mohammed, and Benjamin Yorke have all departed the club.
Heading into Saturday’s match, Hearts of Oak faces an opponent that has shown near-perfection in their opening matches of the campaign. Coach Frimpong Manso’s Bofoakwa Tano has won one game and drawn one in the league, scoring two goals and conceding one in the process.
Key players such as Saaka Dauda, Elijah Addai, Najib Fusieni, Clement Ansah, Ali Alhassan, Emmanuel Ankrah, and Kelvin Oppong are all available for selection as Frimpong Manso aims for a second successive home win to break the 18-game winless streak against Hearts of Oak.
Hearts of Oak has struggled in their recent away matches, going winless in their last 11 league games, with 8 defeats and 3 draws. During this period, they have scored 4 goals and conceded 16.
Ramos Kashala Wanet, who scored their first goal of the season against Nsoatreman FC, will lead the attack for Martin Koopman’s side. Midfielder Abdul Aziz Nurudeen, who missed the entire previous season due to a meniscus injury, is back in the squad, eager to impress the fans.
New signings Kelvin Osei Asibey, Martin Karikari, Evans Adomako, and Kofi Agbesimah are expected to complement the existing talents of Denis Korsah, Salifu Ibrahim, Amankwah Baafi, and Kojo Obeng Junior.
The game will be broadcast live on StarTimes Adepa channel 247 at 3pm on Saturday, September 30, 2023.
