Hearts of Oak will be looking to keep their hopes of winning the title alive when they take on Samartex FC at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The Phobians are making a return to their home venue — Accra Sports Stadium — after four weeks following its closure by the National Sports Authority (NSA) for other activities.
Hearts of Oak have amassed eight points in their last five matches in the ongoing Premier League campaign, bouncing back from a home loss to Bechem United to secure a win over Tamale City and a draw in Kumasi against King Faisal.
They have been handed a major boost with the return of Slavko Matic, who left the shores of Ghana for medical check-up in Serbia, after missing the club's last two Premier League fixtures.
Matic's side has managed to keep their place in the top four despite losing four players namely Dennis Korsah, Suraj Seidu, Gladson Awako and Konadu Yiadom to the Black Galaxies team for the 2022 CHAN tournament in Algeria.
On the other hands, FC Samartex also bounced back to winning ways after pipping Bechem United on Wednesday courtesy a late strike from Seidu Abubakar.
The Premier League new boys, FC Samartex, are hoping to secure a positive result against the Rainbow club at the Accra Sports Stadium to keep their surviving hopes alive. They are among the top five clubs with fewer defeats in the ongoing season.
A win for FC Samartex in Sunday's game against Hearts of Oak will push the Timber Giants to a middle spot of the 2022/23 Ghana Premier League table.
Team News
Hearts of Oak have bolster their squad list with the acquisition of two youngsters Clinton Appiah and Hamza Mohammed. The duo are likely to make their debuts for the club against FC Samartex.
Defender Zakaria Yakubu has been ruled out of the game after picking a knock in their last Premier League match against King Faisal. Despite lasting for the full duration in a scoreless draw in Kumasi, he couldn't pass a late fitness test to be part of the match-day squad list.
Also, Congolese international Linda Mtange Don who mesmerized the fans of Hearts of Oak on his debut against King Faisal is expected to earn starting berth in the Sunday's game.
With FC Samartex, goalkeeper Richard Baidoo will miss an opportunity to face his former club after failing to earn a place in the club's traveling squad.
On-loan Hearts of Oak centre-back James Sewornu will commence the match alongside Godwin Abusah in the heart of defense with Ebenezer Acquah and Isaac Afful on the flanks.
Free scoring Seidu Abubakar will be leading the attacking line of FC Samartex against the Phobians.
TV CHANNELS
The game will be beamed live on StarTimes TV/APP and Adepa TV
KICKOFF TIME
The game is scheduled for Sunday at 15:00 GMT (3:00PM)
