Crocked Wa All Stars kick off their title defense with a dicey duel in the Nation’s capital. The reigning title holders launch their title defense without six of their first team players due to injuries and departures.
Enos Adipah Kwame and his Northern Blues are without Hafiz Adams, Nicholas Mensah and Maxwell Baakoh for Sunday’s game while Atta Kofi Yeboah, Richard Ofori and Ismail Ganiu will not take part in the 2017 for the Wa based side.
The visitors are on chasing their 10th win against Accra Hearts of Oak having 9 of the previous 18 since 2007. The Wa based side however heads into the capital duel on the back drop of injuries to a number of their star players which has left the club short of numbers at the back. Two straight defeats in the CAF Champions ended their continental hopes at the first hurdle but a decent run of 3 wins in the last 4 away games to Accra Hearts of Oak makes it daunting for the host as they chase their first win in 4 matches this season.
Historically the best opponent for Wa All Stars in the division, Accra Hearts Of Oak have managed just 4 wins in 18 outings against the Northern Blues compounded by the 4 home loses. Having never failed to produce a goal in the last 9 games in Accra , the fixture certainly look destined to appease the Ghanaian footballing gods.
Hearts of Oak welcome the Champions on the back drop of 3 straight draws in the league that includes an opening stale in the capital derby at the El Wak sports stadium away to Inter Allies. Two more drawn games against Medeama and Ebusua Dwarfs has left the Phobians with no chance but to beat their Wa based visitors on Sunday. The host have produced 14 goals in the last 9 home games against Wa All Stars, failing to score in just one occasion but the visitor’s run of 11 goals and 4 wins in the ensuing time frame surely promises hell for Frank Elliot Nuttal and his Oak followers.
Wa All Stars have gained more points from Accra Hearts of Oak than against any of their remaining 28 opponents faced in the league and their recent run of 3 wins in the last 5 league matches has left the pundit with more than one option. In the month of February since 2007, Wa All Stars have mastered a decent run of 5 wins ,4 defeats and 2 draws in their 11 league matches played. The statistical board however swung in favour of Hearts of Oak with Wa All Stars recording 1 win in a Sunday game played in the month of February from their five ties.
Goals from Kweku Asuandzie, Richard Arthur and Emmanuel Ocran tamed the egos of the Phobians in the corresponding fixture last year but a combination of CAF assignment and delayed in the league kick off has left Wa All Stars chasing their first league since September 2016. How ready are the champions for the title defense ?