Hearts of Oak beat Asante Kotoko to extend lead at the top of Ghana Premier League table
A resilient Accra Hearts of Oak side smashed all odds against them to beat rivals Asante Kotoko by a lone goal from Porcupine ‘reject’ Daniel Afriyie Banie.
It was a well rehearsed long range shot from the foot of Frederick Ansah Botchway, that got connected to the back of the net, beating Kwame Baah, and a host of Asante Kotoko defenders in the 68th minute.
That was all th Phobians needed to break a long standing record of not winning against the Porcupines in Accra
The early stages of the game was a complete opposite of the pre game hype as both sides appeared too cautious with, putting more men behind the balls than going for attack.
But Hearts of Oak had two quick cornerkicks following a defensive blunder that the Porcupines failed to clear their lines, but both kicks went waste.
The game recieved its first casualty when Hearts of Oak kingpin Emmanuel Nettey was stretched off the field for an injury that seemed to be on his groin. The midfielder went into a tackle with Fabio Gama, but could not continue the game from that challenge with only 10 minutes played.
Kotoko made their first attempt at goal in the 18th minute from a Patrick Asmah free-kick which was saved by Hearts goalkeeper Richard Attah
Randy Ovuoka powered a drive from 40 yards which was saved by Kwame Baah in the 34th minute from a beautiful solo run
Hearts of Oak were denied by the woodwork in the 36th minute as Fatawu Mohammed’s effort failed to enter the net.
The porcupine Warriors were in for another goal opportunity when Hearts defender Mohammed Alhassan nearly scored an own goal in the 44th minute as he tried to clear a cross from the right-wing, his final touch of the ball hit the woodword, and slide over thw lune fir a corner kick
The first half ended goalless with the two sides sharing the spoil.
Just after recess, Hearts came close with Ibrahim Salifu who had the opportunity to put his side in front but Kwame Baah was up to stop any goal.
Kotoko defender Appau came up with a great block to deny a goal-bound effort from Salifu Ibrahim in the 65th minute
Daniel Afriyie Barnie broke the deadlock for Hearts of Oak in the 66th minute with a nice finish to the roof of the net.
Asante Kotoko came close to the equalizer in the 78th minute as Augustine Okrah tried to tap in the ball from a cross which was saved by Richard Attah.
Coach mariano Barreto could not conjure any magic despite introducing Augustine Okrah for MUDASIRU Salifu, but all efforts were too little too late foe the red Army.
Credit: 442gh.com
