Obeng Jnr is Back: Hearts of Oak coach Martin Koopman names a 22-man squad for Bofoakwa Tano tie

Hearts of Oak coach, Martin Koopman has named a 22-man squad for Sunyani trip on Saturday. The 22 players and other technical team officials will leave Accra on Friday morning to Sunyani as they face the newly promoted side Bofoakwa Tano on Saturday 30th September 2023 in the ongoing Betpawa Premier League Matchday 3.

Returnees Bofoakwa Tano will lock horns with Hearts of Oak at the Sunyani Coronation Park on Saturday after picking 4 points from their first two matches.

Bofoawka grabbed a well-deserved point in their season opener against Accra Great Olympics (0-0) before an imperious 2-1 win over Real Tamale United – their first Premier League home win in 16 years.

Bofoakwa Tano has not beaten Accra Hearts of Oak since 1995 – a record that stretches back to the Premier League era in 1993/94 – going 18 games without a win against the Phobians.

Hearts of Oak have played against seven newly promoted sides in away encounters since the 2021/22 season and have won four, lost two and drawn one.

The Phobians recorded a 3-0 victory against Accra Lions, beat Gold Stars 1-0 in Bibiani and drew 0-0 with Real Tamale United in the 2021/22 season.

In the 2022/23 season, Hearts of Oak beat Kotoku Royals 1-0 in Cape Coast 1-0, managed a 1-0 win against Nsoatreman FC 1-0, and capitulated 4-1 against Tamale City 4-1 before falling to FC Samartex 3-2 at Sameraboi.

Hearts of Oak are winless in their last 11 away games in the League – having suffered 8 defeats and recorded 3 draws – with a total of 4 goals scored and 16 conceded.

Ramos Kashala Wanet who scored their first goal of the season against Nsoatreman FC on Sunday, will lead the lines for Martin Koopman’s side. Midfielder Abdul Aziz Nurudeen who missed the whole of last season due to a meniscus injury is back in the squad looking to impress the fans and Obeng Jnr who was out of their last game due to injury is back in the squad.

New signings Kelvin Osei Asibey, Martin Karikari, Evans Adomako, and Kofi Agbesimah are all included to complement the likes of Denis Korsah, Salifu Ibrahim, Amankwah Baafi, Albert Eonde and Kojo Obeng Junior.

Martin’s 22-man squad to face Bofoakwa Tano on Saturday: