Accra Hearts of Oak will open round of 16 of the Ghana Premier League weekend on Friday night welcoming city neighbors Legon Cities at the University of Ghana Stadium.
Th fixture brings back memories as Hearts of Oak suffered a 2-0 defeat to Legon Cities in the 2023/2024 Ghana Premier League week 27 in April last year, where Ouattara blamed cited “Dumsor” as the reason for his defeat.
“Yesterday at the hotel, we did not have electricity or water,” Ouattara said in pre match in April, 2024.
This season, Hearts have picked all maximum points since they lost 1-0 to Asante Kotoko in the Super Clash mid December 2024, putting 3-1 past Berekum Chelsea and 3-2 against Accra Lions.
Coach Ouattara will hope to kick start 2025 on a flying note when his charges are signaled into action this evening against their struggling traveling opponent under the lights.
He will count on the likes of Mawuli Wayo, Saani, Huseini and Hamza Issah who have been impressive in the last few games for the Phobians. Wayo—came on as a substitute, produced two quick goals Hearts’s 3-2 comeback against Accra Lions in Sogakope last week.
Hearts are currently sitting 6th place in the table after matchday 15. They are the third joint highest scoring side (15) and have conceded 10 in the process.
On the other hand,Legon Cities, nicknamed “The Royals” are rock-bottom after a torrid Premier League campaign this season with just 11 points from 15 games.
Cities have suffered four consecutive defeats in the last five outings (W1, L4), having scored 10 and conceded the most goals in the league currently (24).
They have lost 15 of their last 16 consecutive away league games since 2023.
However, Cities will kick start their 2025 under a new manager Yaw Acheampong following the exit of Samuel Paa Kwesi Fabin last December.
Last four meetings:
Hearts of Oak have played Legon Cities four times at home in the league since 2020/21 season with all ending in a draw.
In the 2020/21 season, Heart of Oak drew 1-1 with Legon Cities, drew goalless in the 2021/22 season and repeated same score-line in both 2022/23 season and 2023/24 season.
Speaking ahead of the game, Hearts of Oak’s coach Ouattara says he will everything possible to score the maximum points from the game.
“We need the three points, whatever we have to do, we are going to fight to get the three points,” Ouattara said.
“The fighting spirit is part of that game and it is in the blood of Accra Hearts of Oak and we need the three points,” he added.
The game, set to kick off at 6:00 PM, promises an intriguing contest as the two sides battle for the three points.
