Legon Cities vow to stop Hearts today
Legon Cities coach, Bashir Hayford has vowed to end Hearts’ unbeaten run when the two clash today in their crunch Ghana Premier League (GPL) match week 30 fixture at the Accra Sports Stadium.
In a pre-match conference on Tuesday, Coach Hayford was optimistic that his side will upset the Phobians and put their title ambitions in disarray.
Hearts would have to beat Legon Cities to keep their lead on the league table before meeting their arch rivals Kumasi Asante Kotoko on Sunday in a clash touted as the decider..
Hayford stated that the team has been rejuvenated after identifying some of the problems that accounted for their abysmal performance at the start of the competition.
![Man United flop Antony our greatest-ever signing —Betis chief ANTONY gave a glimpse against Nottingham Forest as to why Real Betis sporting director Manu Fajardo believes the Manchester United flop might be "the most import¬ant signing" in the club's history. The 25-year-old has been reborn in Andalusia after an underwhelming stint at Old Trafford, where he failed to get anywhere near justifying the lofty fee paid to Ajax three years ago. Antony arrived for an eye-popping €95 million ($111.6m), plus a potential €5m in add-ons, but failed to consis¬tently impress and fell down the pecking order at United. The Brazil international sparkled after joining Betis on loan in January and made the move permanent after protracted talks brought a deadline-day switch for up to €25m. United included a clause that gives them 50% of any future deal for Antony, who followed a smart assist with a late goal to secure a 2-2 draw in Wednesday's Europa League opener against Forest. Betis sporting director Fajardo told the PA news agency: "I am 100% sure that maybe Antony is the most import¬ant signing in Betis' history. "Everything [about the signing] be¬cause the talent, the level of the player, the level of the club as Manchester United a big team, a big project, so I am 100% sure that Antony is the best signing in Betis' history." "In the first moment we spoke with Manchester United for Antony to stay in Betis one year more on loan. "But for Antony, for Manchester it was very, very important to recover the investment, so for Betis it was not easy. The move was so much for us. "But Manchester United made a big effort, Betis made a big effort, Antony made a big, big effort to play here again. Maybe in that situation that was the secret." Betis may not be able to compete with Premier League clubs' financial clout, but they boast talent that Fajardo hopes can see them to push for Europa League glory this season. "For Betis it is not easy to sign players from Premier League, because the dif¬ference in respect to the salary between the Premier League and LaLiga is too big," Fajardo added. "But when a player like Antony, for example, wants to come to Betis it's easier. "Antony only thought to play in Betis again, so when you have a negotiation with a big club in Manchester United, a club that paid a big amount for Antony, it's not easy. But the player wants to play in Betis."-ESPN](https://ghanaiantimes.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Antony-220x150.jpg)
The two sides drew one all in their first fixture of the season but Coach Hayford blamed that on the team’s inconsistencies during the time.
He said Legon Cities were not afraid of Hearts, assuring that Hearts would have to fight if they want a win to keep their title ambitions alive.
“Beating Hearts would mean a lot to the players psychologically and even, financially. The boys are poised for what will be their biggest win of the season would not take anything for granted.”
Though there would be huge pressure on Coach Samuel Boadu and his charges, the Phobians have exhibited some consistency and resilience which would be required in their upcoming games.
But Coach Hayford emphasized that Legon Cities will not be bullied by the Phobians, stating that “we have watched them carefully and we know what to expect. What I can tell them is that this is a game we want to win to make a statement of intent. We will match them squarely.”
BY MICHAEL D.ABAYATEYE
