Confidence is building up in the camp of the 2020/21 Ghana Premier League champions, Accra Hearts of Oak ahead of their CAF Champions game.
The Phobians will host Morocco club, Wydad Athletic Club in the second preliminary round of the 2021/22 CAF Champions League at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday, October 17. The second leg of the competition will be held on the 24th of October at the Mohammed V Stadium in Rabat. The Phobians are representing Ghana by virtue of winning the 2020/21 Ghana Premier League ahead of arch rivals, Asante Kotoko. The Phobians clocked 61 points from 34 matches of the season with Asante Kotoko coming second with 57 points at the end of the season.
Hearts of Oak went on to win the 2020/21 MTN FA Cup after beating opponents like Elmina Sharks and Medeama to set up a final clash against AshantiGold at the Accra Sports Stadium. The finals travelled the entire duration plus extra time with goals. After a marathon penalty shootouts, Hearts of Oak won 8-7 to be crowned champions for a record 11th time. The 2001 CAF Super Cup winners will then be paired against Guinea side, Club Industriel de Kamsar which they eliminated in a one legged qualifier at the Accra Sports Stadium by beating them 2-0. They will now test the night of Wydad Athletic Club of Morocco.
Hearts of Oak forward Daniel Afriyie Barnie is full of confidence that they will be able to qualify for the group stage of the CAF Champions League. Barnie has been instrumental for the 2004 CAF Confederation Cup winners scoring important goals and creating chances as well as giving assists. Afriyie Barnieh said of the all important clash: “It’s going to be difficult of course, but exciting as well,” Barnie told phobianews.com. “It’s been a good battle all so far so we just want to win every single game and make it to the money zone. It will be good for us and our fans.”
The Black Satellites captain was in fine form and got a hat trick when Hearts of Oak beat lower tier side, Dzida FC 6-1 at the Accra Sports Stadium in a preparation exercise ahead of their CAF Champions League clash against Wydad Athletic Club of Morocco. The CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations winner said that the players are now eager and ready to get their heads down ahead of their match at home to Wydad on Sunday. “Everyone has worked well for this game. Now we have to stay focused on the game.”
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