2022/23 GPL: Afriyie Barnieh’s goal powers Hearts of Oak to victory over Kotoku Royals
Hearts of Oak on Saturday afternoon won their second game of the season, defeating Kotoku Royals by a single goal at Cape Coast Stadium.
A first half penalty converted by Daniel Afriyie Barnieh aided Hearts of Oak to inflict a 1-0 home defeat on Kotoku Royals in their match-week five encounter at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium.
The early minutes of the fixture looked balanced as both sides possessed the ball in the middle with few chances created. Kotoku Royals came close to open the score through a free-kick effected by Hamidu Shaibu Yakubu but goalkeeper Richmond Ayi brilliantly fisted it out.
Hearts of Oak gained possession to dominate the game with fearsome attacks on the back line of the home side. The intense pressure mounted on Kotoku Royals resulted them conceding a penalty after Daniel Afriyie Barnieh was fouled by goalkeeper Clinton Quaye on the 28th minute.
Afriyie Barnieh elected himself to convert the ball firmly into the back of Quaye’s net to hand Hearts of Oak a 1-0 lead before the half-hour mark.
On the stroke of halftime, Phobians came closed again to double their lead through Daniel Afriyie Barnieh and Gideon Asante but their efforts went off target.
In the second half, Kotoku Royals enjoyed majority of the game possession with some goal glaring opportunities but their upfront failed to make them count.
Burly striker Augustine Boakye kept tormenting the back line of Hearts of Oak with his runs but he was kept at bay by Konadu Yiadom and Robert Addo Sowah from causing any havoc.
Hearts of Oak coach Slavko Matic introduced Jeordon Otanga, Suraj Seidu and Isaac Mensah to stabilize the team after the hosts had taken over possession.
Boakye nearly levelled the score for Kotoku Royals from a close range but his strike was calmly saved by Ayi on the 76th minute of the game.
Substitute Godwin Segla had a golden opportunity to snatch the equalizer for Kotoku Royals on the 80th minute but his strike went wide.
Hearts of Oak enjoyed the final five minutes with some dangerous attacks but their efforts couldn’t earn them additional goals as the fixture ended in a 1-0 for the Phobians at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium.
Hearts of Oak will host Karela United at the Accra Sports Stadium while Kotoku Royals will make a trip Tamale to face Real Tamale United in the match-week six.
Credit: kickgh.com
