Read the match preview of Hearts of Oak's clash with Bechem United in the Ghana Premier League on Saturday afternoon in Southern Brong Ahafo Region.
TEAM NEWS
Emmanuel Hayford picked up an ankle injury in the last game with Medeama and will be out for a few weeks. Team captain Robin Gnange has recovered from a groin injury but he awaits clearance from the medical team. Black Satellites duo Owusu Bempah and Seidu Mutawakil will link up with the squad from national assignment, whilst Vincent Atinga also returns from the camp of the Black Meteors. Thomas Abbey, Philip Boampong, Ashittey Ollenu, Gerald Odupong, and Hamza Mohammed are in line waiting for their first game of the season.
Bechem United have former Hearts trainee Issaka Nyemeworo in their fold whilst the Phobians’ Champions League winning skipper Jacob Nettey is the assistant coach of the side. MATCH PREVIEW Bechem United will host Hearts in the match-day 4 of the 2014/15 First Capital Plus Premier League at the Bechem Park on Saturday. Herbert Addo’s side have shown two sides to their game so far. They have been brilliant going forward thanks to the back-to-form Gilbert Fiamenyo, but questions have been left unanswered in the defensive department of the team.
Hearts have kept a solitary clean-sheet in three league games and conceded a whopping six within the period. Berekum Chelsea overturned the scores to beat Hearts 4-2 at the Essipong Sports Stadium whilst Medeama twice came from behind to tie 2-2 with Hearts in the last game.
Coach Herbert Addo has not had the opportunity to use his preferred back-four due to the absence of Robin Gnange and the recent injury to Isaac Oduro. But despite Kweku Andoh and Abraziz Abankwa putting no foot wrong in the victory over Sogakope WAFA, the partnership came under intense pressure following the 4-2 capitulation at the hands of Berekum Chelsea.
The pressure mounted again as the defenders combined with the goalkeeper to leak in another two goals against Medeama last Saturday. Herbert Addo has, however, assured he will resolve the defensive frailties. Defender Robin Gnagne has started training, and is waiting for clearance from the medical team to start competitive games.
But in the midfield, Hearts have lost Emmanuel Hayford, who was stretchered-off after a tackle from behind in the 11th minute against Medeama last Saturday. The midfielder has a swollen ankle and he is a doubt for the game.
Tetteh Luggard also picked up an ankle problem in the defeat to Berekum Chelsea, and barring a remarkable recovery, he is also a doubt for the clash with Bechem United on Saturday. At the top of the Hearts account, Gilbert Fiamenyo has turned around his hagridden pre-season, and has found his feet in front of goal. The striker has netted five times in three games. However, it is not just the goals or number of it that has caught the eye, but the manner and iced-cool panache with which they have been produced.
Against Sogakope WAFA SC, with the game barren, he produced a beautiful chip over Theophilus Jackson to hand Hearts the winner. He followed up with a classic stop-start-run move before slotting home against Berekum Chelsea before tapping home from close range in a crowded box in the 4-2 defeat at the Essipong.
Incredibly, the burly striker capped off a superb team move, and arguably the best team goal Hearts will score all season, by half-volleying past Foli Adade after telepathic combination from Selasi Adjei and Paul Acquah. Then he conjured a magical strike after Medeama pulled level at the Essipong Sports Stadium last Saturday. Crowded and hemmed by the Medeama defense, Fiamenyo’s body movements and ball control stupefied Kofi Agyare, Daniel Amoah, Foli Adade and even the fans at the stadium, before shooting nonchalantly past the Medeama goalkeeper for his fifth goal of the season.
Sadly, Hearts have dropped five points from winning positions and denied Gilbert Fiamenyo the cynosure after his heroics in the last three games.The playing body particularly the defenders have spoken about the need to concentrate and focus on the game at all times, and you would not bet against Herbert Addo’s side getting the win from Bechem if they keep their words.
Bechem United on the other hand, have not had a smooth take-off in the new season. They have lost two games on the road, picking up their solitary victory against Inter Allies at home. The Brong Ahafo side have scored a solitary goal in three games and conceded three, but so far keeping a clean sheet at home.
Last season, Thomas Abbey’s third-minute freak goal was enough for Hearts to snatch all the three points from the Bechem Park. When Hearts welcomed Bechem United at the Accra Sports Stadium, Emmanuel Hayford also scored in the third minute but Prosper Donkor leveled in the 7th minute, before Robin Gnagne won the game from the penalty spot in the 78th minute. HEAD TO HEAD The sides have met four times in the league. Hearts have won twice and drawn two times with Bechem United, scoring three goals and conceding just one.
2011 / 2012 Bechem United 0-0 Hearts Hearts 0-0 Bechem United 2013 / 2014 Bechem United 0-1 Hearts [Thomas Abbey] Hearts 2-1 Bechem United [Emmanuel Hayford, Robin Gnange] 2014 / 2015 Bechem United ? - ? Hearts
SOURCE: Aaccraheartsofoak.com