The second leg of the CAF Confederations Cup tie between Accra Hearts of Oak and AS Real Bamako is upon us this Sunday, as many Hearts fans brace themselves for their fate as the continent's secondary footballing competition continues this weekend.
In the first leg, the Phobians were battered 3-0 because some players played at the standard expected of them- and here are eight of them who need to step up on Sunday.
Konadu Yiadom
When Hearts signed Konadu Yiadom, fans were extremely happy with the move. The former WAFA defender had been linked with the Phobians for a long time and the move had finally come to fruition.
As it turns out, however, the Hearts centre-back is nowhere near the level that was expected of him and this season so far, he hasn’t been susceptible to errors. There have been times when Hearts conceded goals where he was at fault as he looks like a shadow of the player that he once was.
Dennis Korsah
Korsah seemed to be the perfect fit for Hearts when he arrived from Cape Coast Ebusua Dwarfs last season. Many a Hearts faithful claimed at the start of the season he had the potential to be Hearts’ next captain but his inconsistency so far this season make that remark look rather misguided.
Korsah has not looked entirely comfortable on the left side of Hearts’ defence as he has in the club’s most games appeared as the weakest link of the club’s defence. Korsah must recapture the rock-solid performances he consistently produced at Dwarfs if he is to fully establish himself in this Hearts team.
Seidu Suraj
It may be harsh to pinpoint the youngster, but the reality is players need to show early promise to secure themselves a future at a club like Hearts.
At 21, he certainly has plenty to learn, but he was lacklustre in the club’s games. Truthfully, he improved against AS Real Bamako after being criticised for his poor showing in Kumasi, but the fans demand consistency and it still looks like he has yet to find his feet this term.
He has rightly been given more time, but he needs to make good use of it if he is to flourish at one of Africa's biggest clubs.
Gladson Awako
The Black Galaxies captain has looked a frustrated figure in recent weeks and it is partly down to his own faltering form.
Awako is acutely aware that he no longer possesses the energy to fire forward in the swashbuckling style that became a hallmark of his talent but he has looked ragged and off the pace for some time.
There was continued debate over whether he should be dropped or not and it is clear Ocloo felt his experience and leadership was too valuable for him to warm the bench. However, Awako now has a task on his hands to repay the manager's continued faith in him and pick this Hearts team up.
Daniel Afriyie Barnieh
It is quite fair to say Daniel Afriyie Barnie has been Hearts’ most disappointing player so far this season. The highly-rated forward was expected to play a massive role in the Phobians’ title bid this season. But so far he has failed to recapture the form that he showed for the Black Galaxies against Benin and Nigeria.
The Hearts forward looked sloppy and error-prone in the majority of the games he has featured. There could be several reasons behind his poor run of form. Maybe he is lacking confidence or he is overworked and needs a bit of rest, or maybe his manager (s) tactics have rendered him ineffective in recent games.
But despite his indifferent performances, we know that Barnie is more than capable of producing game-changing moments week in, week out for his side. And although he has hit a bit of a rough patch, expect him to come back firing on Sunday.
Eric Ofori Antwi
There’s nowhere else to start. Failing to mention Antwi’s name in the list feels like a little bit like the elephant in the room, that’s how error-prone and below-par Eric Ofori Antwi has been in the Hearts shirt since his arrival. He started the season as the club's first-choice goalkeeper.
On his day, he’s brilliant- but it’s been a while since he last produced a memorable display and has spent recent times proving his doubters right. Eric Ofori Antwi must sit up, get his act together and let the good times roll.
Junior Kaaba
Playing in attack demands goals and assists and the forward has struggled to provide either since his arrival at Hearts. Losing possession in important moments has also been an issue. He will rightly be given more time, but he needs to make good use of it if he is to flourish at one of Africa’s biggest clubs.
Benjamin Yorke
Touted as one of the most exciting young talents in Ghanaian football before his arrival, it was understandable that he generated a significant buzz around the club. However, he has flickered sporadically and the excitement has fallen flat.
He is one of the most expensive players in Hearts’ current team but he is struggling to shake the price tag at the moment. He has failed to nail down a regular starting place so perhaps he just needs that one moment of individual brilliance to catch attention. Unfortunately, going on the slightly erratic form he has shown thus far, he is quite a bit away from producing it.
