Nsoatreman won the 2024 MTN FA Cup by beating Bofoakwa Tano on penalties after an energy-sapping 120 minutes of action at the University of Ghana Spor
Nsoatreman won the 2024 MTN FA Cup by beating Bofoakwa Tano on penalties after an energy-sapping 120 minutes of action at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium in Legon in June. It was the club’s best moment probably in their entire history as it helped them secure a slot in the 2024-25 CAF Confederation Cup.
Head coach Maxwell Konadu secured a bumper deal with Black Leopards in South Africa and left, leaving a huge gap at the club.
Yaw Preko was appointed, and he led the club to beat Chadian side Elect Sport, home and away, in the first round of the Confederation Cup playoff.
Algerian league leaders, Constantine defeated Nsoatreman home and away to end the fairytale run in 2024. It was the end of everything special for the Nsoatre-based club.
We are done with the one-third stage of the Ghana Premier League and Nsoatreman has been a disaster, playing below their expectations. The club has certainly failed to replicate their last season’s heroics.
Yaw Preko’s side commenced the GPL with a fine 2-0 victory over the newly promoted Young Apostles. It sent a huge message to the other clubs that they could do better than the 5th placed finish they enjoyed in the 2023-24 season. They have since won two league games in the last 10 losing five and drawing three. It is simply not good enough for Yaw Preko’s team.
A visit to the red-hot Accra Hearts of Oak on Saturday night at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium is a massive test for Nsoatreman. Hearts of Oak recorded their third consecutive victory for the first time since February/March 2024. The much-improved Hearts of Oak has every chance to double their confidence ahead of Week 13’s crucial visit to Obuasi to face the beleaguered Asante Kotoko.
Aboubakar Ouattara and Yaw Preko are two coaches whose performances are opposite. Hearts of Oak’s manager is now the coach who is under zero pressure, while Nsoatreman’s gaffer is among the coaches who could be fired at any time due to poor results.
Why it could be the easiest so far for Hearts of Oak?
Though Nsoatreman is scoring goals, the club has lacked confidence and self-belief throughout the entire season. They have conceded 14 goals and are the second team to have conceded the most goals, just one behind Legon Cities. Nsoatreman’s defence has been poorly organised under Yaw Preko.
The back four of Richard Acquah, Mohammed Issaka, Eric Osei Bonsu and Morrison Anokye must work hard to tame Hamza Issah.
Hearts of Oak could enjoy an easy ride on Saturday night but can also be shocked.
Why could it be the trickiest?
Nsoatreman has an enviable attack which is the second-best in the season in terms of goalscoring after Nations FC. Nsoatreman has scored 11 goals with just two behind the league leaders
Mohammed Abul Rahaman and Collins Kudjoe have scored 4 and 3 goals respectively making them a deadly duo. Hearts of Oak must be wary of the threat they pose even though their team is down, mentally.
Adu Kwabena Meider and Steven Diyou have not hit the ground running since the commencement of the season but they can kickstart their season on Saturday night.
Struggling teams have proven to be deadly so far, as Dreams FC and Legon Cities have shown. Phobia must not underrate the Nsoatre-based club because they also need points to move away from the relegation battle.
The game kicks off at 7 pm in Legon on Saturday with Phobia looking the likeliest team to snatch all the 3 points.
COMMENTS