GPL WK14: Hearts of Oak’s Ibrahim Salifu explains why they must beat Kareal at all cost on Saturday

Defending Champions of the Ghana Premier League (GPL) Accra Hearts Hearts of Oak will travel to the Western Region to face premier league fellows Karela United in the week 14 fixture of the 2021/22 league season, and midfield marshal Ibrahim Salifu has declared the any result short of a win will prove disastrous for the Phobians.

The match has been scheduled to take place at the home grounds of Karela United, the Crosby Awuah Memorial Park on Saturday afternoon.

After 13 matches played so far in the league, Hearts of Oak are currently sitting at the 6th position on the league log with 20 points from 12 matches they have played. As defending champions, they trail arch rivals Asante Kotoko by 7 points with the Porcupine Warriors leading the log with 27 points in 12 matches so far with a game in hand against the Phobians.

Asante Kotoko stands a chance to extend their lead should they defeat Medeama SC on Sunday at the Baba Yara sports stadium. Accra Hearts of Oak needs a win at Karela to keep themselves in contention for the title as they target the summit of the table.

Speaking to StarTimes media after Hearts of Oak beat second tier side Golden Kicks 5-2 in the FA Cup Round of 32 game on Wednesday, Salifu admitted that the Phobians must do everything possible to beat Karela to keep them in the title race.

“It will be tough game because it is not easy to pick a win at Nzema (at the CAM Park) but we will also try our best to go and pick a win there. If we don’t get a win there it will not help us to be able to chase those at top [of the log], so we are also doing our best to be able to go and pick the three maximum points to Accra”, he said.

Hearts of Oak eased past Golden Kicks in the FA Cup match to reach the last 16, whereas Karela United crashed out of the competition after suffering a 1-0 loss to King Faisal on Wednesday.