Sharks v Hearts: Phobians take first GPL bite after continental fiasco

Accra Hearts of Oak for the first time will have a go at the week eight Ghana Premier League on Wednesday since their continental exit.

The Phobians have returned to Ghana after wrapping up a disastrous outing in the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederation Cup.

Hearts of Oak suffered a humiliating elimination from both the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup. In the CAF Champions League campaign, they defeated Guinea side, Club Industriel de Kamsar 2-0 at the Accra Sports Stadium in one leg. The victory set them up with Morocco giants, Wydad Athletic Club in the second playoffs in which they managed to beat them 1-0 in the first leg at the Accra Sports Stadium before suffering a 6-1 drubbing in Casablanca.

That 6-2 aggregate loss, sent them down to the second tier club competition of which they were paired against Algeria club, Jeunesse Sportive de Saoura. Hearts of Oak recorded a 2-0 win in the first leg playoffs at the Accra Sports Stadium moving into the second leg in Béchar.

The Phobians will go and suffer yet another ignominious defeat, succumbing to a 4-0 crushing in Béchar to finish the aggregate at 4-2 for JS SAOURA. Hearts of Oak have equally started the 2021-22 Ghana Premier League on a bad note.

They have played four matches and recorded three draws and one defeat in the process. They will next play Elmina Sharks in the week eight at the Nduom Stadium and coach Samuel Boadu will look to win to decrease the pressure mounting from the Hearts of Oak faithfuls.