Ghana Premier League champions, Hearts of Oak face their biggest test yet in this season’s CAF Champions League, when they take on Moroccan giants Wydad Athletic Club (WAC) in the first of a two-legged affair today.
Samuel Boadu’s side overcame Guinean champions CI Kamsar 2-0 in their opening qualifier at the Accra Sports Stadium, to book a meeting with Wydad.
The Phobians have been working and preparing for the clash for the past weeks hoping for what will go down as an upset, if they can overcome Wydad.
Hearts, despite beating CI Lamsar in the last round, seemed short of fitness and tired down in the last fifteen minutes of that game.
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This, many pundits put down to the absence of the Ghana Premier League, which is set to start on October 29, meaning the Phobians could still suffer from that rustiness against Wydad.
The Moroccans, on the other hand, are riding high in their domestic league, sitting pretty in top spot after four wins and a draw in their opening five games.
Walid Regrahui’s men have showcased a solid and formidable defensive unit, conceding only two goals and keeping four clean sheets in their five league games so far this season.
This means the Phobian attack will have to be at their best if they are to breach that tough Wydad back line.
The first leg clash will come off on Sunday October 17, 2021 at 3:00pm [15:00GMT] at the Accra Sports Stadium before Hearts of Oak travel for the second leg a week later.
The game will be officiated by Angolan referees Helder Martins Rodrigues de Carvalho. The experience referee will be assisted by Jerson Dos Santos [Assistant I], Ivanildo Meirelles de O Sanches Lopes [Assistant II], and Antonia Caluassi Dungula [Fourth Official].
Sekou Wieh Konneh from Liberia will serve as the Match Commissioner while Ghanaian doctor, Christiana Baah will act as COVID-19 Officer.
Injuries and doubts (Hearts of Oak): Gladson Awako (personal), Emmanuel Nettey (muscle problem)
Injuries and doubts (Wydad): Reda Jaadi (knee), Salaheddine Benyachou (Appendicitis)
Possible XI (Hearts): Richard Atta, Fatawu Mohammed, William Dankyi, Mohammed Alhassan, Robert Addo Sowah, Frederick Ansah, Salifu Ibrahim, Isaac Mensah, Salim Adama, Daniel Afriyie Barnieh, Kofi Kordzi.
Possible XI (Wydad): Tagnaouti, El Amloud, Dari, Comara, Yahia Atti, Jabrane, Ellafi, El Hassouni, Serrhat, El Moutaraji, Msuva.