All is set for the commencement of the 2023/24 Ghana Premier League season as Hearts of Oak and Real Tamale United look set to lock horns against each other at the Aliu Mahama Stadium in the opening fixture on Friday night.
Getting a win mostly in opening matches is really malleable to getting a good season and both teams will of course set sights on nothing but a victory heading into the game.
With the league's prize money increased to $43,000, all competing 17 teams will have only one target coming into the championship in this new season and that's to battle champions Medeama SC to the title.
Hearts of Oak had an impressive unbeaten preseason run, having played nine matches and won all, without even a draw or a loss.
They scored 35 goals in those outings and conceded only 5, with plus 30 goal-difference, and took out clubs like Okwahu United, Susubiribi FC, and GPL newbies Nations FC within the process.
Real Tamale United on the other hand, are also looking very poised and adequately prepared for the new campaign despite losing more than five of their key players.
Influential trio of Goalkeeper Yaw Osei, Sadat Mohammed and Ronald Frimpong all left to join Bibiani Goldstars but have made some additions hoping to establish another redoubtable side just as they did right on their return into the topflight.
Hearts of Oak are yet to beat RTU since their return in the 2021/22 season, having lost three and drawn one in all four matches played with them so far- and will definitely play their hearts out this time to snatch all three points but doing that in front of the Tamale fans, will for sure be a very tedious task.
TEAM NEWS
Coach Martin Koopman on his first competitive game in charge, will be without Don Linda Mtange, Gideon Asante, Michelle Sarpong Enoch Asubonteng, all due to injuries.
The Pride of the North' outfit on the other side, recorded no any major injuries or suspension worries from their last matches.
CHANNEL: The game will be live on StarTimes Adepa 247
KICKOFF: 1800GMT (6:00pm)
