RTU dare Hearts in fiery Tamale cracker
• Manaf Umar – RTU’s attacking midfielder
The Aliu Mahama Stadium will come to a standstill tomorrow when Real Tamale United (RTU) host Hearts of Oak to a cagey encounter in a scorching betPawa Premier League match-day 16 tie.
The hosts, who succumbed to an embarrassing 6-2 defeat to Bechem United on Wednesday, would have to appease their fans and get back to winning ways.
RTU have won six of their seven games on home soil, losing 1-0 to Medeama SC on match-day 3, which gives the team huge boost of replicating their home dominance over Hearts.
With the exit of skipper David Abagna Sandan to Sudanese club Al Hilal, the likes of Manaf Umar, Issah Kuka, Mohammed Sadat and Stephen Badu have been instrumental in RTU’s resurgence and would ensure they give Hearts a run for their money.
Hearts were held to a pulsating 0-0 goalless draw by Legon Cities in the Accra derby in midweek, a result which has left the fans still in big doubt as to whether their sweat merchant – Slavko Matic, could turn things around.
The Phobians have managed only a win in their last four outings against Medeama SC – with all three ending in draws against King Faisal, Samartex and Legon Cities.
The likes of Kojo Obeng Jnr, Eric Esso, Samuel Inkoom, Caleb Amankwah, Amankwah Baafi and new inclusion Linda Mtange have been an integral part of Hearts progress – and with the return of Suraj Seidu, Gladson Awako and Dennis Korsah, the Phobians stand the favourite.
League leaders Aduana Stars will hope to continue their fine form when they welcome Nsoatreman at the Nana Agyeman Badu I Park tomorrow.
It will be a battle for survival when two struggling clubs – Tamale City lock horns with bottom-placed Kotoku Royals at the Aliu Mahama Stadium today.
In other games, second-placed Bechem United will battle Berekum Chelsea at the Golden City Park tomorrow, while impressive Goldstars welcome poor-performing Karela United to the Dun’s Park same day.
At the Accra Sports Stadium, Great Olympics will face Dreams FC while new entrants Nsoatreman take on Medeama SC.
On Monday, reigning champions, Asante Kotoko will have a tough hurdle to cross when they welcome Accra Lions to the Baba Yara Sports Stadium at Kumasi.
By Linus Siaw Nartey
