Accra Hearts of Oak play host to league leaders at the Accra Sports Stadium to what appears to be a title-defining game to end week fourteen round of matches in the Ghana Premier League as the curtain slowly shuts on the first half of the season.
WAFA are tops of the league and have been, without a question, the best side in the league so far this season. It has been eight games since they last lost a league game and have since won back-to-back matches, their wins’ stretches as far back as match week six when they lost narrowly to Asante Kotoko at the Baba Yara.
From the backdrop of a comprehensive win against bitter rivals, Asante Kotoko in the Ghana @60 Anniversary Challenge, Hearts of Oak head into the game with shoulders high but must be cautious with their approach.
There is no better time for this encounter than now as WAFA are in the form of their lives, for the first time in the clubs’ history they have won seven games consecutively and are sitting at the summit of the league log with twenty-nine points.
The fairytale started with a double away wins over defending champions, Wa AllStars are Bechem United coupled with the win at Edina against Elmina Sharks, WAFA now feels invincible no matter the opposition they face. With eight wins in eight games in all competition, the imperious form of WAFA in the Premier League have made them title contenders.
Hearts of Oak are sixth on the league table with twenty points having won five, drawn five and lost three scoring sixteen and conceding fourteen this season while their opponents and league leaders WAFA have won nine, drawn two and lost two.
Hearts of Oak are yet to lose at home this season and have put together a run of four home wins and two draws and will be relishing the chance to make it five. Whereas, the Sogakope lads are unbeaten on the road in their last three league games by scoring seven and conceding just two.
KEY MATCH FACTS:
Total Games Played ~10
Hearts of Oak wins ~6
Draws ~3
WAFA wins ~1
HEARTS are unbeaten in their last 4 league games (W2 D2)
HEARTS of OAK are unbeaten at HOME in their last 6 games (W4 D2) scoring 10 and conceding 5 with 2 clean sheets.
HEARTS have not lost a league game at HOME to WAFA.
HEARTS have not won a game this season from a losing position
WAFA are unbeaten in their last 7 league games, straight wins and first side to win 7 games on the stretch this season
WAFA have won all last 3 AWAY games in the league (Wa All Stars, Bechem United and Elmina Sharks)
HEARTS have kept just 1 clean sheet in their last 5 league games
HEARTS OF OAK were held at HOME by WAFA last season, game ended 1-1
WAFA have won all first half of their last 6 league games
TEAM NEWS: It is likely that Malik Akowuah could make a comeback against WAFA but it is unclear whether the captain of the side, Robin Gnagne, Evans Gbeti, Kassenu Ghandy and Richard Yamoah would be risked by coach Nutall as they all resumed training ahead of the clash on Monday.
NASCO Coach for the month of April, Klavs Rassmusse n have the full compliment of his squad to pick from as there have not been any injury worries ahead of the trip to Accra. According to speculations, he might start an unchanged side against Hearts, the same side that defeated Liberty Professionals on match week thirteen.
For Hearts of Oak to close the gap at the top they must win at all cost but a win for WAFA will also ensure they maintain their three points gap at the top against Aduana Stars who on Sunday narrowly defeated Berekum Chelsea.
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