The Phobians will lock horns with city rivals Accra Great Olympics in a game tagged the ‘Mantse Derby’ this weekend in a Matchday 2 fixture of the 2022/23 Ghana Premier League.

The 2021/22 MTN FA Champions will go into the game on the back of a 1-0 away defeat to Aduana Stars on Matchday 1 of the betPawa Premier League.

Some supporters have assigned varied reasons for the team’s performance on day 1 with fears the rainbow club may fall short when they come up against an Olympics side that won their week 1 fixture against Bechem United.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Nhyira FM in Kumasi, the supporters’ leader, Elvis Herman Hesse, admitted Olympics will come into the game with determination which will make it tough for Hearts.

But he is convinced Hearts of Oak have what it takes to outwit Great Olympics this weekend.

“It’s going to be a tough game. When the Homowo cup didn’t come on, I went to Oly’s training grounds and from their players to their coaches, to their management, they were wild and disappointed, the game didn’t come on,” he said.

“So they will be coming into this game with a lot of determination but trust Accra Hearts of Oak, we know it will be tough but we have psyched ourselves and have put the right things in place so we will not be surprised to carry the day.

“We are always ahead of them [Olympics] just that in the last two or three years, they have tried to overcome us but we believe with the right support, we will turn things around.

“We need this win more than them and the players understand what’s at stake,” he concluded.

The Matchday 2 fixture will be played on Sunday, September 18, 2022 at the Accra Sports Stadium and will be officiated by referee Edward Annan.

It’s the first time in 55 games that WAFA have lost an official Premier League game at home.

That record was in jeopardy when Olympics raced into an early lead through a Gladson Awako free-kick.

The set-piece was expertly converted from an acute angle, making it Awako’s second free-kick goal of the season.

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Annor Walker’s men doubled their lead through a Konadu Yiadom own goal early in the second half.

With less than 20 minutes to go, two quickfire goals from Enock Asubonteng and Justus Torsutsey brought WAFA level.

Just when it looked like both sides were settling for a draw, a well-weighted pass from Joshua Rhule found Munasiru whose outside of the foot shot went past the WAFA goalkeeper.

The result sends Olympics to the top of the Ghana Premier League table.

The two, Rodney Appiah and Jacob Kingston join the Dade Boys from second division side KingStep FC.

The pair had trials with the two-time Ghana Premier League champions before the end of the first half of the football campaign.

Chief Executive Officer of KingStep FC, Henry Quarshie, confirmed the move of the two players to the Ghana Premier League side.

“It is a good step in their career because they will have the opportunity to play in the Ghanaian top-flight,” said Mr Quarshie.

“I know they will excel in the top flight and I wish them the very best in their future endeavours. They have really distinguished themselves in the period that they have been here,” he added.

Accra Great Olympics have been very impressive this season and currently sit in 2nd place with 30 points after the first half of the Ghana Premier League.

The Dade Boys will be hoping that their new signings will help the team keep the momentum when the season resumes next month.

The Phobians will play host to the Wonder boys at the Accra Sports Stadium in matchday 11 of the domestic top-flight league on Saturday in an Accra derby in the ongoing Ghana Premier League season.

Speaking ahead of the game, Mr Addo said they are fully prepared for the game and will approach it with a different attitude in the regional derby.

“We will make sure we keep our focus, the concentration is there,” he told Kumasi based Otec FM.

“We will never underrate our opponents which is Olympics because we know what they are doing in the ongoing league.

“We will continue to work hard in our games to avoid talking point after matchday,” he added.

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Meanwhile, Yaw Preko, who is now the head coach of Accra Great Olympics ahead of the game has also insisted he is confident his side can snatch all three points.

“At the moment, we know Hearts of Oak are playing very well. They have a good team. (But) Hearts of Oak and Olympics is a different ball game altogether, we’ll see how it goes,” he told Asemp FM.

Coach Preko has played for and handled Hearts as a coach in the past and understands what it will mean to have one over his former employers.

He has, therefore, urged his players to make him proud.

“We hope to see a beautiful game, I want my boys to come to the party, perform very well and make me proud,” he concluded.

Hearts of Oak occupy 2nd spot on the standings with 16 points while Great Olympics sit 7th with 15 points with just a point behind a rival.

Olympics have made the headlines and as part of the motivation to the playing body, a new bus has been purchased for the club.

The new team bus was funded by Chairman of the club, Amarkai Amarteifio and shareholder Nik Amarteifio.

The KIA Granbird bus has been spotted in the capital and is set to undergo branding with the team’s colours.

The former Ghana Premier League champions have been impressive in the ongoing 2020/21 football season.

The ‘Dade’ lads are currently sitting on the 7th position with 15 points.

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The new bus is expected to help in the team’s transportation to the various venues across the country in the ongoing Ghana Premier League season.

The ‘Dade boys’ face regional rival Hearts of Oak in an Accra derby on Saturday, January 30, 2021, at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Photos below:

The capital-based side has been sensational in the ongoing campaign and currently lie seventh on the league table with 15 points from 10 games.

Olympics continued their fine form and drew goalless at home to table-toppers Karela United at the Accra Sports Stadium in the matchday 10 games.

Speaking after the game, coach Preko said that the title race is open and that any club can win it.

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He stressed that Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko have not been at their best this season which leaves the door open for any club that can put its house in order.

“It’s about belief, the title race is very open, anyone can win it.

“When Hearts and Kotoko are not in form, we need to take advantage and that is what we are doing.

“We are taking one game at a time and we are going to work hard towards the next game,” he said.

Great Olympics will be hosted by Hearts of Oak in a regional derby on Sunday in the matchday 11 game at the Accra Sports Stadium.

The 46-year-old will take over from coach Annor Walker, who has been missing in action in Olympics in the last two matches.

Coach Walker has been unwell for the past weeks which has prevented him from sitting in the dugout for th club.

The former Berekum Chelsea gaffer has transformed Great Olympics from a relegation battler to a decent mid-table side.

Olympics have been churning out some decent results in the ongoing Ghana Premier League under coach Walker who took over in February 2020.

However, the two-time Ghana Premier League champions have suffered back to back defeat against Aduana Stars and Ashgold without the guidance of coach Walker.

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Due to the condition, Yaw Preko has been named as the new head coach of the side.

Coach Preko will be hoping to get the needed results when they play Inter Allies at the Accra Sports Stadium in the matchday 9 fixtures.

Coach Preko has been without a club after he was denied the Black Satellites job.

The former Hearts of Oak, Anderlecht and Fenerbahçe ace has vast experience in coaching, having managed Nigerian Premier League side Ifeanyi Ubah and serving as an assistant coach under Japanese gaffer Kenichi Yatsuhashi at Hearts of Oak and Krystal Palace FC.

Awako, after playing for TP Mazembe, Don Bosco (DR Congo) and Phoenix Rising returned to the Ghana Premier League two seasons ago to relaunch his career.

The 30-year-old has dominated the headlines due to his impressive performance with the Wonder Club.

But Awako, who believes he still has a lot to offer, is hoping to secure a deal abroad if such an opportunity rears its head.

“I am still looking forward to travelling outside if the chance comes because I feel I have what it takes,” he told Asempa FM on the Sports Nite Show.

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“I am still fit and strong compared to what I went through in the past. This time around I am having a good time with Great Olympics but I am ready to welcome a move abroad,” he said.

He also justified why it is difficult to play and succeed in the Ghana Premier League.

“It is very difficult to play the Ghana Premier League and succeed,” he added. “You look at the prices of land and houses now, I don’t think you can make it playing the Ghana Premier League alone.

“You need to travel outside to play good football and make it as well because you have families and friends that you have to feed and help,” he added.

Awako is currently contesting for the player of the month award for December. He has already won four ‘Man of the Match’ awards.