Competition: Caf Confederation Cup – Round of 32

Match: Olympique de Ngor v Hearts of Oak

Venue: Stade Caroline Faye, M’Bour

Kickoff: 4pm GMT, April 4

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Deputy Hearts of Oak captain Owusu Bempah returns to the Stade Caroline Faye where he was part of the Ghana U-20 team that used the facility for their group games at the recently ended 2015 AYC.

This time, the right-back is on club duties with Ghanaian giants Hearts of Oak to face Senegal’s Olympique de Ngor in the 2015 Caf Confederation Cup round of 32 return encounter on Saturday.

Having lost 2-1 in Accra, Olympique de Ngor, first-timers in the competition, are faced with a seemingly easy but difficult task of kicking out the Ghanaians with just a 1-0 score-line in M’Bour.

But that won’t come easy especially against a very experienced opposition on the African continent in Hearts of Oak. They won the maiden edition of the competition in 2004. The Phobians aside their past records, boast of a very experienced technical brain in Herbert Addo, who is famous for his shrewd way of grinding crucial results in tight fixtures – very consistent in that regard.

His tactics working to perfection this time faces a stern test when both teams line up on Saturday. Ngor look strong at home as they were able to produce three goals past Unisport Bafang in their maiden home game in Africa while Hearts of Oak were able to grind a goalless game away to Benin’s AS Police.

Domestically, both teams are struggling in their respective competitions. Ngor currently lie 8th with 18 points from 14 games while the Ghanaians are 14th position with 15 points after 12 games in the FCPPL.

Domestic Form guide

Olympique de Ngor: W W W D W

Hearts of Oak: L W D W L

Previous Meetings

The first leg in Accra on March 15 was the first ever game between Hearts of Oak and Olympique de Ngor. Badara Fall with a brilliant run in the 33rd minute, fed onto a pass from midfield to score the opening goal but the Phobians’ second half revival saw Foovi Aguidi levelling matters in the 63rd minute before the in-form Gilbert Fiamenyo, who had come on as a substitute, scored the final goal – 2-1, six minutes from time.

The starting line-ups :

Hearts : Soulama Abdoulaye – Fatau Mohammed, Shaun October, Philip Boampong, Robin Gnagne (C) - Richard Yamoah, Paul Acquah, Emmanuel Laryea, Selasie Adjei, Komi Foovi Aguidi, Isaac Mensah

Olympique de Ngor: Mouhameth Diallo - Baye Basse Ousseynou Gueye (C), Baba Diop, Ahioune Badara Fall, Abdoulaye Barry, Arthur Yannick Gomis, Mamadou L Dramé, Mouhameth N Tine, Ismaela Niang, Mohammed Sene, Robert Badiane

Background Facts

Olympique de Ngor

The Senegalese side have had to move the match venue from the Stade Demba Diop to M’Bour due to a wrestling competition booked for their original host stadium on the match day – Saturday, April 4.

Ngor after their first leg defeat to Hearts, have played two domestic league games. They drew one all with Douanes and heavily thrashed Caf Champions League campaigners, AS Pikine, 4-1 in the Senegal Ligue 1.

Olympique de Ngor have scored and conceded four goals each in 3 games of this season’s Caf Confederation Cup – 0-1, 3-1, 1-2. They defeated Cameroon’s Unisport Bafang 3-1 at home in the second leg of the prelims.

Hearts

Hearts of Oak are without striker Selasie Adjei who has started in all their three games in the competition so far. He suffered an injury in a Ghana Premier League match for the Phobians. Experienced midfielder Kofi Abanga also did not make the squad

Influential midfield duo Richard Yamoah and Leonard Tawiah can form their solid partnership in protecting the Hearts defence once again as the latter has fully returned from injury.

Gilbert Fiamenyo above is the club’s top scorer this season with 9 goals in all competitions.

Goalkeeper Soulama Abdoulaye joined the team in Senegal from international duties with the Burkina Faso national team.

Hearts have scored three goals in 3 games of this season’s Caf Confederation Cup and conceded once – 1-0, 0-0, 2-1.

What the coaches say

Sidaty Sarr - Olympique de Ngor

“Hearts of Oak is a very big club. We got a favourable results [lost 1-2] against them in Accra which will make our qualification a bit easier.”

“We would urge our fans and all Senegal to come and support us to win and move to the next stage.”

Herbert Addo - Hearts of Oak

“We know our situation and are prepared to have a good result that will make us qualify on Saturday.”

“The good news is that some of my key players who have been missed through injuries in recent weeks are back with us for this trip. I’m hoping they stay fit for Saturday.”

“Before the first leg, we had little information about our opponents and after seeing them in Accra, I’m confident things will be easier for us.”

Possible Line-ups

Olympique de Ngor: Mouhameth Diallo - Baye Basse Ousseynou Gueye (C), Baba Diop, Ahioune Badara Fall, Abdoulaye Barry, Arthur Yannick Gomis, Mamadou L Dramé, Mouhameth N Tine, Ismaela Niang, Mohammed Sene, Robert Badiane

Hearts: Soulama Abdoulaye - Owusu Bempah, Robin Gnagne, Philip Boampong, Isaac Oduro - Leonard Tawiah, Richard Yamoah, Paul Acquah, Eric Kumi, Foovi Aguidi, Gilbert Fiamenyo

Permutations

Olympique de Ngor

A 1-0 win simply does the business for the hosts but should Hearts score, Olympique de Ngor must win the game by a difference of two goals in order to advance to the next stage.

Hearts of Oak

The Phobians need a draw to advance. Losing by a 1-0 margin sees them out or getting a goal and avoiding defeat by a two-goal margin see the Ghanaians through to the round of 16.

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