Hearts of Oak will make their second away trip of the 2026/27 Ghana Premier League season when they travel to Tamale to face Karela United at the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium on Saturday, September 26.
The Phobians go into the Matchday 4 encounter unbeaten after collecting two wins and a draw from their opening three matches. Their latest outing ended in a goalless draw against Bechem United at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium, bringing an end to their perfect start but extending their unbeaten run.
Hearts had earlier defeated Berekum Chelsea 4-0 on the opening weekend before producing a strong comeback to beat Bibiani GoldStars 2-1 away from home. The victory in Bibiani demonstrated their ability to handle the demands of playing on the road, something they will need again against Karela.
Karela United, meanwhile, will be searching for a response after suffering a 2-1 defeat to Aduana FC in Dormaa last weekend. The late setback left the Tamale-based side with two defeats from their first three matches and increased the importance of Saturday’s home fixture.
The hosts, however, have reasons to be confident when facing Hearts in Tamale. Karela have won three, drawn two and lost just once in their last six league meetings with the Phobians at home since the 2020/21 campaign. They have also won three of their last five league matches in Tamale.
Hearts have found goals difficult to come by in this particular fixture, scoring only three times across their last six visits to Karela while conceding eight.
Their only victory during that period came two seasons ago when they secured a narrow 1-0 win, before suffering a 2-0 defeat in the corresponding fixture last season.
Kapor Wants Strong Showing on the Road
With those numbers providing a warning, Hearts of Oak head coach Nebojsa Kapor is aware of the importance of having support behind his players as they make the long journey north.
The Serbian coach has called on Phobian supporters in Tamale and the surrounding areas to turn up at the stadium and make their presence felt.
Kapor believes the backing of the supporters can provide an additional lift for his players as they seek another positive away result. “We know it will be a difficult game, but we are going to Tamale with the ambition to give a good performance and get a good result. I want to call on our supporters in Tamale to come and support us and make the team feel that they are at home.”
The coach will also be looking for a more clinical display from his players after the stalemate against Bechem United. Hearts dominated periods of that contest but were unable to find the breakthrough, dropping their first points of the campaign.
Saturday’s fixture therefore presents an opportunity for the Phobians to respond immediately and demonstrate that the draw was only a temporary setback. A win would keep them among the early pace-setters and on top of the league log while boosting their confidence.
For Karela, the challenge is equally significant. They will have the advantage of playing in familiar surroundings and will be determined to turn their recent home record against Hearts into another positive result.
The match is the only Ghana Premier League fixture scheduled for Saturday, with the remaining Matchday Four games taking place on Sunday.
Hearts will therefore know exactly what is at stake when they walk into the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium. An unbeaten start has given Kapor’s side momentum, but maintaining that momentum will require concentration, efficiency and the backing of their supporters.
For the Phobians in Tamale, Kapor’s message is clear; the team is heading north, but he wants them to make sure Hearts do not feel alone on the road.
READ ALSO: MoH Defends New 160 Regional Hospitals Amid Agenda 111 Criticism
