Real Tamale United commenced their 2023/24 Ghana Premier League (GPL) campaign in good fashion with a 1-0 triumph over Hearts of Oak at the Aliu Mahama Stadium on Friday night.
Afriyie Owusu’s 93rd minute strike was enough for the Pride of the North, who had battled the Ghanaian giants for the opener all evening.
Friday’s 1-0 win also ensured RTU have beaten the Rainbow Club in each of their last four meetings in the Ghanaian Premiership.
Abdul Mumin Abdulai named a new look side to face the Phobians with Mohammed Hardi, Baba Kushibo, Hafiz Adams, Iddrisu Gadafi and Mohammed Alhassan Manykuyeli the only regulars from last season in the team.
Our Prideโs for today Match ๐คฉ.
Letโs go #๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ผ๐ณ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ป๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐ต | #๐ช๐ฎ๐๐จ๐ป๐ฎ pic.twitter.com/lb1QVIhAaT— REAL TAMALE UNITED (@RTUfcOfficial) September 15, 2023
Dutchman Martin Koopman handed debuts to Michael Ampadu, Kelvin Osei-Asibey, Liventius Attur, Martin Karikari, Evans Adomako, Kofi Agbesimah, and Congolese striker Wanet Kashala Ramos.
Midfielder Abdul-Aziz Nurudeen returned to competitive action after over a year on the sidelines when he replaced Glid Jeordon Otanga.
๐ด๐ก๐ต || betPawa Premier League
"๐ Our Starting XI is locked in and ready to light up the pitch! ๐ฅโฝ ๐ช#AHOSC#StarLife #PositiveEnergy pic.twitter.com/m3YBhoc4AX
— Phooobia! – #WeNeverSayDie ๐ ๐ (@HeartsOfOakGH) September 15, 2023
Both sides had a fair share of possession throughout the first half but it was RTU who looked poised to net the opener.
Playing at their backyard with the support of the fans, a win was needed but Hearts had ambitions of kick-starting their 2023/24 with a win.
The Phobians produced a good second half but they fell to a late finish from Afriyie Owusu.
โ๏ธ๐๐จ๐๐-๐ง๐๐ ๐ โ๏ธ
โ๏ธ @RTUfcOfficial 1-0 @HeartsOfOakGH
โฝ๏ธ Afriyie Owusu 90+3โ #betPawaGPLwk1 | @betPawaGH pic.twitter.com/msF4n896G6
— ๐ฌ๐ญbetPawa Premier League (@GhanaLeague) September 15, 2023
Hearts will now host Nsoatreman on matchday two while RTU travel to Bofoakwa Tano.
