Bofoakwa Tano, making a spirited return, will face off against Hearts of Oak at the Sunyani Coronation Park this Saturday, following their successful start to the season with 4 points from their first two matches.
Bofoakwa earned a well-deserved point in their season opener 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 the four clubs that have yet to taste defeat in the opening two games of the season. They are determined to secure more points against Accra Hearts of Oak, who stumbled in their recent away match.
Bofoakwa Tano has struggled to beat 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 has faced seven newly promoted sides in away matches since the 2021/22 season, with a record of four wins, two losses, and one draw. Notable results include a 3-0 victory against Accra Lions and a 1-0 win against Gold Stars in Bibiani during the 2021/22 season. In the 2022/23 season, Hearts of Oak secured a 1-0 win against Kotoku Royals in Cape Coast and a 1-0 victory against Nsoatreman FC, but faced a 4-1 defeat against Tamale City and a 3-2 loss to FC Samartex at Sameraboi.
Hearts of Oak has embarked on a rebuilding phase after a disappointing previous season, resulting in the acquisition of approximately 10 new players to strengthen the squad. Notable departures from the club include Samuel Inkoom, Gladson Awako, Konadu Yiadom, Yassan Ouatching, Clinton Appiah, Zakaria Yakubu, Hamza Mohammed, and Benjamin Yorke.
As they head into Saturday's match, they face a side that has shown near-perfection in their opening matches of the campaign. Coach Frimpong Manso's Bofoakwa Tano has won one and drawn one in the league, scoring two goals and conceding one.
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 consecutive home win to break the 18-game winless streak against Hearts of Oak.
Hearts of Oak has struggled in their recent away matches, with a winless streak of 11 games in the league, including eight defeats and three draws, during which they scored four 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 likes of Denis Korsah, Salifu Ibrahim, Amankwah Baafi, and Kojo Obeng Junior.
The game will be broadcast live on StarTimes Adepa channel 247 at 3 pm on Saturday, September 30, 2023.
