FA CUP: Hearts Of Oak vs Elmina Shark preview

Defending champions, Hearts of Oak will engage Premier League rivals, Elmina Sharks this afternoon at the Ohene Gyan Stadium in round of 16 of the MTN FA Cup. 

One of these two sides definitely won’t able to meet their mark last season in the league since there is definitely going to be one winner, having met each other in the quarter final of the last edition where Caleb Amankwah’s extra time goal earned Hearts of Oak the edge in the end.

 The Rainbow club started their defence with a narrow 1-0 victory over Accra Lions in the first round kind courtesy a lone goal from playmaker, Ibrahim Salifu.

 They furthered on with their blistering performance after annihilating lower tie side Golden Kicks FC by an emphatic 5-2 to get to this stage.  However, in the league, Hearts of Oak after that sweet 2-1 win over AshantiGold have now jumped to the 6th position with 32 points. 

 On the other hand, Elmina Sharks edged out Achicken FC in a five goal thriller to advance into the second round of the competition. In the round of 32, they exhibited a five star display to marmalize first second-tier side Nzema Kotoko by 3-0.  

Elmina Sharks also lost narrowly to Goldstars in Bibiani, and currently found at the bottom of the league log with just 12 points after 21 matches.  

TEAM NEWS

 Hearts of Oak first choice goalie, Richard Attah is getting better but is still likely he will sit out once again for Richmond Ayi.  Ibrahim Salifu has started training for two weeks now but is still unlikely to feature tomorrow. 

With Sharks, goalkeeper Lord Bawa Martey was relegated to the bench again for Joseph Essam and is likely he will still be keeping the post this afternoon.

  KICKOFF18:30GMT (6:30pm) 

By: Iddriss Abdul Rahim/Kickgh