Hearts of Oak defender Raddy Ovouka is set to miss the team’s Champions League second qualifying round first leg encounter against Wydad Casablanca.
The Congolese international is nursing a knee injury and will likely miss the club’s home fixture on October 17.
Ovouka, touted as the best left-back in the country, has been harbouring a recurring knee injury as far back as last season, which has been left unattended to.
According to local media reports, he aggravated the injury when he featured in the Phobians 2-0 win over Guinean side CI Kamsar.
This was during the first round, and he has since not trained with the Phobians.
Ovouka has also been dropped from Congo ahead of the 2022 World Cup qualifying double-header against Madagascar this month due to the injury.
His absence would be a big blow for Hearts, who seek qualification to the group stage for the first time since 2006.
Hearts of Oak will host Wydad at the Accra Sports Stadium next Sunday, with the return encounter scheduled for Casablanca on October 22.
