Good afternoon and welcome to the live text coverage of the CAF Confederations Cup encounter between Hearts of Oak and JS Saoura.
The Phobians play host to the Algerian club at the Accra Sports Stadium with the return fixture slated for December 5, 2021.
The winner of both legs will progress to the money zone of the competition.
Ahead of the much-anticipated game, coach Boadu has named his starting eleven and has made four changes to the side that lost 2-0 to Ashantigold in the Ghana Premier League.
Emmanuel Nettey, Agyenim Boateng and Patrick Razak have been dropped to the bench, meanwhile, defender Robert Addo Sowah could not pass the match fitness test and will not be in action today.
Salim Adams, Afriyie Barnieh and Mohammed Alhassan will start the game whereas Isaac Mensah partners Kofi Kordzi upfront for the tie.
Find below the starting lineup of JS Saoura as we approach kick-off in the next 30 minutes.
We are just 10 minutes to kick-off. What are your expectations?
Kick-off:
1’ We are off at the Accra Sports Stadium. It is the home team that kicks us off.
2’ Two mistakes at the back as Sewornu and Attah commit errors. The two players are fortunate the visitors are unable to take advantage.
3’ CHANCE!! Barnieh sets up a chance for Ibrahim Salifu. His effort is saved but the follow-up shot by Kofi Kordzi goes over the bar. That should have been a goal.
4’ Barnieh escapes his marker with trickery but is unable to find his teammates in the box.
7’ JS Saoura comes forward with a nice team play. Sewornu is alert and heads away.
9’ Corner kick to Hearts of Oak. Salifu takes but it is well dealt with by the visitors.
12’ Looks like it’s going to be a tough afternoon for Hearts of Oak. JS Saoura already proving to be a tough side to break down.
15’ GOAL!! Hearts of Oak take the lead through Salifu Ibrahim. The midfielder heads home after getting on the end of a cross from Daniel Afriyie Barnieh.
18’ Hearts of Oak look in control of the game name after scoring. Still a long way to go in this contest.
21’ CORNER for Hearts. Salifu takes but it’s cleared by the defense of the Algerian team.
24’ The pressing of Hearts Oak stopping JS Saoura from playing as the hosts continue to dominate this first half.
28’ The intensity of the game has dropped on the last five minutes. Will there be another goal before the end of the first half?
30’ We will have a water break now for the players to freshen up with some water under the hit sun.
32’ The game can now continue to the Accra Sports Stadium.
35’ Hearts of Oak get a corner kick. Salifu sends in a high ball that evades the head of everyone. Eventually the visitors will in a goal kick.
38’ Hearts of Oak push forward but are unable to string passes together. Goal kick to Saoura.
40’ We are into the last five minutes of the first half.
43’ Isaac Mensah tries a shot after cutting inside from the left. His effort lacks accuracy and flies over the bar.
45’ We will do two minutes of additional time.
Halftime: Hearts of Oak take a one-goal lead into the first half break. It’s still anybody's game.
We will be back with second-half updates after 15 minutes.
Second Half: The players are out for the second half of the game.
46’ JS Saoura kicks us off for the second 45 minutes of the game. Can they get back into the game?
50' JS Saoura player down injured and appear to be deliberately wasting time.
52' Great play by Kofi Kordzi. The ball is lifted for Isaac Mensah but he is flagged offside.
55' Another impressive team play by Hearts of Oak. Barnieh gets on the end of a cross but fails to find the back of the net.
60' Goalkeeper for SJ Saoura is yellow-carded for time-wasting. He must be careful now to avoid a sending-off.
63' Hearts of Oak pushing men forward as the search for a second goal continues. The Phobians need to score more.
66' Both teams are making changes to try and change the dynamics of this first leg tie of the playoffs.
70' Isaac Mensah is presented with a good opportunity but is unable to shoot early. The visitors deal with the threat and win a goal kick.
72' GOAL!!! Isaac Agyenim Boateng puts the ball in the back of the SJ Saoura net to give Hearts of Oak a 2-0 lead.
75' RED CARD!! The SJ Saoura goalkeeper is sent off for a second booking after bringing down Daniel Afriyie Barnieh. Hearts of Oak now with an advantage to scoring more.
78' Raddy Ovouka comes on to replace William Denkyi.
83' Two SJ Saoura players fall to the ground without any contact from any player. They appear to be faking an injury to waste time in the last ten minutes of the game.
86' Hearts of Oak continue to dominate the game but struggle to get the third goal. Still time in this game though.
90' We will do five minutes of additional time.
Full Time:
It is game over at the Accra Sports Stadium. Hearts of Oak with a 2-0 win in the first half ahead of the second half on December 5.