Hearts of Oak will look to reach the final of the MTN FA Cup for a record 20th time when they face Medeama at the Cape Coast stadium on Sunday.
With defending champions Asante Kotoko knocked out of the competition, there will be a new name on the trophy this season.
Hearts of Oak are favorites having won 10 MTN FA Cup titles – the most in the competition’s history.
For Samuel Boadu and his team, the aim this season has been the league and FA Cup double. After securing the league title earlier this month, the Phobians are just two games away from securing a historic double.
The Phobians have won the most doubles in the history of Ghana football and could increase their tally to six this season if successful in their remaining FA Cup games.
Hearts have been imperious in the competition so far scoring nine goals and conceding just one goal. They beat Liberty Professionals 3-0 in the round of 64.
The 10-time champions then brushed aside Windy Professionals beating them 4-1 in the round of 32 stages.
Boadu’s men narrowly went past Accra Young Wise and Elmina Sharks in the round of 16 and quarter-finals respectively.
Daniel Barnieh’s good form at the end of the season means he is the MTN FA Cup’s top scorer with four goals. He will prove to be an asset for Boadu who seeks to beat his former side for a second time this season.
Medeama beat Hearts earlier in the season with Boadu in their camp.
However, the Mauve and Yellows were beaten 2-0 in Accra in the second round with Boadu in the Phobian’s dugout.
For Medeama, Sunday’s game will go beyond revenge as they seek to end an undulating season on a strong note
They finished fifth this season having occupied the first place at a point in the second round.
Yaw Preko will now shift his attention to the MTN FA Cup, a trophy Medeama last won in 2015 when they beat Asante Kotoko.
On the two occasions, Medeama has won the MTN FA Cup, they have beaten Kotoko in the final.
The two-time champions started off their MTN FA Cup journey this season with a win against Sekondi Eleven Wise in the round of 64, before beating two consecutive Premier League teams in Karela United and Great Olympics.
Medeama were pushed to the wire in the semi-final winning a five-goal thriller against Atram De Visser Academy after extra time.
The Mauve and Yellows will play in next season’s Confederations Cup because Hearts of Oak will be in the CAF Champions League, and AshantiGold alongside Berekum Chelsea failed to submit a bid to play in Africa.
However, Medeama will still love to go all the way and win the GH 180,000 cedis which will be awarded to the winner.
The semi-final encounter between Hearts of Oak and Medeama will be played on August 1 at the Cape Coast stadium.
The winner will face either Berekum Chelsea or AshantiGold SC in the final of the 2020/21 MTN FA Cup.
Source: Joy Sports
