The Accra Hearts of Oak versus Medeama SC tie headlines the fixtures for Matchday 8 of the betPawa Premier League. The League champions are gradually picking up the pieces after a steady start to the 2023/24 Premier League campaign. Medeama SC started the season with a 2-2 draw against Accra Lions at home – and continued with an impressive away win (2-1) over Bechem United before losing to Aduana FC and Dreams FC respectively. The mauve and yellows are now in 8th place with 10 points following back to back wins over Nations FC and FC Samartex 1996.
Hearts of Oak are enduring one of their worst starts to the Premier League in history after grabbing only six points and scoring only 2 goals in their six League matches.
The Phobians have won one and drawn two in three games at home – and picked only one point on the road after losing to Real Tamale United and Bofoakwa Tano and snatching a point from Bibaini against Gold Stars on Sunday.
Hearts of Oak are winless in the League since Sunday, September 24, (Matchday Two) when they pip Nsoatreman FC 1-0 at the Accra Sports stadium after the opening day defeat to Real Tamale United. The former African champions were battered 5-1 by Medeama SC last season and have to work off their socks to avoid a similar humiliation at home.
Medeama SC go into the game with loads of optimism having recovered from a slow start to the League – with two consecutive victories against Nations FC and FC Samartex in their last two outings.
Four points separate the sides – with Hearts of Oak sitting in the 16th spot with 6 points while Medeama SC find themselves in the middle belt with 10 points with one outstanding game each.
Elsewhere in Dormaa – resurgent Aduana FC will host unbeaten Bofoakwa Tano at Nana Agyemang Badu Park. Aduana FC are on a good run after winning three of their four games – including a come from behind win against Real Tamale United in Tamale – a win that catapulted them to the 2nd spot in the table with 12 points – one point behind leaders Nsoatreman FC.
Two-time champions Aduana FC are unbeaten at home after picking victories over Medeama SC, Berekum Chelsea and Accra Great Olympics.
The Ogya lads welcome a Bofoakwa Tano side that have yet to suffer defeat in the League following a remarkable start to the League. Aduana FC have a strong home record (3 wins from 3 games) as Bofoakwa Tano also boast of an unbeaten record in seven Premier League games.
The game is scheduled for 3pm kick off at the Nana Agyemang Badu Park on Wednesday, November 1, 2023.
Legon Cities will travel to Sameraboi to take on FC Samartex 1996, Dreams FC will square off with Berekum Chelsea at Dawu, while Karela United entertain Bibiani Gold Stars at Aliu Mahama stadium.
Bechem United host Great Olympics at the Gyeabour Park
Bechem United have some good progress in the last few weeks, have gone unbeaten in their last three matches in the Ghana Premier League with a win and two draws.
The Hunters held Asante Kotoko SC to a 1-1 stalemate at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi last weekend and are returning home in the midweek.
Bechem will take on Great Olympics at the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park on Wednesday as they look to maintain their unbeaten streak.
Bismark Kobi-Mensah and his team will also aim at registering back-to-back home wins for the first time in the season in the matchday 8 fixture.
On the other hand, Olympics recovered from their first defeat of the campaign on Saturday when they overpowered newly-promoted Nations FC in the capital.
The Dade Boys claimed a hard-fought 1-0 victory with a goal coming in the dying minutes of the match at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Olympics are presently enjoying some positive run in the Ghana league, losing just once of their last eight matches. They are sitting in the 3rd position on the standings with 12 points from 7 rounds.
However, the Wonder Club are travelling to a venue they have never picked a point. They have lost all of their six visits to Bechem in the premiership since 2015.
Credit: ghanasoccernet.com
He will be out for weeks, I don’t know how long -Mikel Arteta on Thomas Partey
Arsenal Football Club manager Mikel Arteta isn’t sure how long Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey’s injury will keep the latter out of action.
He said this in a press game presser ahead of The Gunners Carabao Cup fourth round tie against West Ham United at the London Stadium.
West Ham is on a three game losing streaking after suffering 1-4 to Aston Villa, 1-2 to Olympiacos and 0-1 to Everton heading into the tie against Arsenal.
Partey will miss the game after picking up a muscle injury just before Arsenal’s game against Sevilla on Match day 3 of the UEFA Champions League.
“I think he will be out for weeks. I don’t know how long but he’s got another appointment (medical) today and we will see more after that.”
“I am so sorry for him because I think he is doing everything that he can do right to be there. He needs to lift himself up again with our support because he is a player that is critical for us.”
Partey has missed games against Sevilla and Sheffield United since picking up the injury.
Credit: citisportsonline.com
