A Premier League open fire awaits Heart of Lions on Sunday afternoon, as Bashir Hayford’s men make the 714-mile round trip to take on Aduana Stars on the opening weekend.
While Lions' 2023-24 season ended in unbridled joy - having escaped relegation, their hosts were left to mourn their dreams of winning the Premier League title, however, they finished the season - bossing the 4th position with 50 points.
Match Preview
While some Ogya fans may not have been best pleased by results at Nana Agyemang Badu Park a few months ago, Heart of Lions rejoiced in recording the most lucrative five straight set of matches under the arch - during the latter stages (from game-week 29-to-33) of the league, fulfilling their dreams of maintaining their Premier League status seeing off heartbroken Great Olympics, Bofoakwa Tano and RTU.
Ahead of the start of the new season, Heart of Lions have tested their mettle against a host of team’s in pre-season, beating the likes of Home Stars, while succumbing to a 1-0 defeat to Legon Cities in their penultimate fixtures at Kpando.
Head-to-Head Aduana have recorded nine wins out of the fourteen games they’ve played against each other since 2009.
Heart of Lions on the other hand have recorded just two wins, three draws in their last fourteen meetings since 2009.
Team News
The injury curse engulfing Aduana has been lifted over them, as none of their players are on the mend - or either nursing any injuries.
Key defensive cog Fabian Schar also appeared to twist his ankle in Newcastle's final pre-season win over Brest, but there is optimism that he will be fit, while the Magpies also confirmed on Thursday that Sandro Tonali will be available for selection again on August 28 following his lengthy betting ban.
While Newcastle's transfers in have been relatively modest - William Osula, Odysseas Vlachodimos, Lewis Hall and Lloyd Kelly - the Magpies have successfully fended off interest in Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes, both of whom will feature from the off here.
As for Southampton, Martin must cope without goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu for a number of months due to his Achilles rupture, so 34-year-old Alex McCarthy should guard the posts despite competition from Joe Lumley and Mateusz Lis.
Attacker Kamaldeen Sulemana is also nursing an ankle problem sustained in the friendly loss to Oxford United at the end of July, which spells good news for summer signing Ben Brereton Diaz, who ought to be given the nod with Armstrong up top.
Lallana and Ross Stewart are also on the verge of Saints comebacks, while Cameron Archer could make his debut for the club after his switch from Aston Villa was confirmed on Friday.
Aduana Stars possible starting lineup: Inusah; Amoako, Enchill, Sackey, Boakye, Saana, Waaki, Kyeremeh, Lattif, Marfo, Boateng.
Heart of Lions possible starting lineup: Sarpong; Asante, Amadu, Ali Fawzi, Pong, Ofori, Addo, Michelle, Boateng, Yakubu (C), Abednego
We say: Aduana Stars 1-1 Heart of Lions
Despite failing to finish in the top four spots of the Premiership table, Heart of Lions put up an unflinching performance in the second round of last season, coming good in terms of average possession and passes, as well as finishing off on a superb standing for shots per game and expected goals per game.
Such praiseworthy statistics means that the travelling Lions should have something to cheer for, but it may only be the odd consolation goal, as home specialists Aduana will surely prove too potent in the final third.
By: Pascal Amoah ©
