Champion Club Accra Hearts of Oak are likely to miss the services of their dependable defender Dan Oppong in their first leg first round preliminary match against Stade Malien of Mali, in this year's African Champions' League at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday.

This is sequel to an injury he sustained in the 80th minute in last Wednesday's GHALCA Top Four grand finale match against Dansoman-based Liberty Professionals at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Ghana New Agency investigation has it that Oppong, who joined Hearts from Bofoakwa last season is suffering from contusion and the team's doctor is seriously working on him. But according to the investigation, the defender's recovery rate is quite slow which puts his chances of playing in Sunday's game in doubt.

Team officials told the GNA that Dan Oppong's absence would be a big blow to Hearts against the backdrop that Stephen Tetteh, one of the rear guards would also not be in action due to the red card he received in their last match against Etoile Du Congo last year. However, the two coaches Ofei Ansah and Archibald Lamptey are working around the clock to find a possible replacement.