FA Cup: Elmina Sharks vs Hearts of Oak

Elmina Sharks and Accra Hearts of Oak will face off today at the Nduom Sports Complex in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup competition. The two sides are among the eight teams left in the competition chasing honours with the Phobians seeking to stretch their stronghold on the trophy having been 10 times as champions of the competition.

Hearts of Oak are looking to do the double this season after mounting a spirited challenge for the league which saw them beat rivals Kumasi Asante Kotoko to the league title. They however would be wary of the threat posed by the Porcupine Warriors should both sides emerge from this stage to go through to the last four. Their recent meeting in the competition ended in a defeat for the Rainbow club in Tamale that saw their rivals close the gap to them on the most number of championship wins in the competition.

The Phobians would be nothing short of confidence under the enigmatic Samuel Boadu who have brought optimism back to the club following their end of season success. He will be able to call on his star performers including Salifu Ibrahim, captain Fatawu Mohammed, Rady Ovuoka, Afriyie Barnieh, Robert Addo and the rest to do the job for him at Elmina.

They will however not get a walkover from Sharks who narrowly escaped relegation with an impressive last day victory over Asante Kotoko. That win would be a morale booster for them ahead of this encounter as they seek to end the season with a trophy in their cabinet. That could also give them a chance to play in Africa which would be an added motivation. Whatever the outcome of the match and whoever makes it through would have a strong opposition to navigate the next round.

By: Clifford Adumbire | myactiveonline.com