Hearts’ opening five fixtures: Phobians to initiate Holy Stars in 2024/25 GPL, face Aduana, Bechem as well
Undoubtedly, Hearts of Oak’s relegation scare in the 2023/24 Ghana Premier League is an experience the club are eager to avert in the upcoming season.
With the fixtures announced Monday morning, head coach Abubakar Ouattara has an extremely humongous task to produce results in kick-starting the campaign to subsequently return the Phobians to the upper echelons of Ghanaian football.
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The last time Hearts were at the forefront of football conversations in Ghana was the league triumph in 2021, capping it with the MTN FA Cup success as well.
Since then, Hearts have struggled to challenge for titles and the worst of their consistent absymal runs was the 15th place league finish last season.
Ouattara, whose results has been inconsistent and style of play questioned, keeps his job for the new campaign.
The inclusion of former Great Olympics goalie Benjamin Asare, and Nations FC duo Asamoah Afriyie and Micheal Awuah is expected to breathe positivity into the plans of the Rainbow Boys.
From now onwards, September 6 is the focus as the 90 minutes at the Accra Sports Stadium and in away games for 34 match-weeks will determine the path for the Phobians.
Hearts play newly-promoted Basake Holy Stars on match-week one and travel to Kpando for match-week two.
They return home to host Bechem United and finish their first five games with Nations away at Kuntenease-Abrankese and Aduana at home.
Last season’s results against opponents in first five games.
Aside Holy Stars, Hearts played all other opponents they will face in their opening five.
Against Lions, Hearts drew goalless in the first round but defeated the Kpando-based side 2-1 in the 2nd round.
The Rainbow Boys beat Bechem United in both rounds, winning 1-0 in their home game and the 3-2 win away at the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park to avoid relegation.
Furthermore, Nations were held to a 1-1 stalemate by the Phobians at home and Hearts won in Accra with a 2-0 result.
Against Aduana, Hearts of Oak suffered defeats; 1-0 in Dormaa, and the same scoreline in Accra.
Hearts are eager to claim the league title once again but first things first.
A good start will be the ultimate way for the Phobians to avert last season’s shame and these five matches will determine their first round.
