Hearts of Oak fans are feeling fully confident in the Phobians to finish the job and win the Ghana Premier League title after another win on Sunday against Medeama, with Hearts winning 2-0 to make it 7 matches in a row unbeaten. The Accra-based giants are now three points ahead and await the result of their eternal rivals Asante Kotoko’s match against Inter Allies on Monday to see if the top spot is exclusively theirs for now.
Medeama could have easily opened the scoring in the first half when poor marking from the Phobians led to a wide open header for the visitors from just beyond the six-yard box. However, goalkeeper Richard Attah came up with a stellar reaction save to keep things scoreless. The visitors would pay dearly for the miss in the 41st minute when the ball bounced around the Medeama penalty area and Ibrahim Salifu reacted well to the scramble, side footing a finish in from close range to give the home side the lead.
Hearts did well to take their chances when they came as Medeama were a tough challenge on the day, and Benjamin Afutu Kotey’s 5th goal of the season in the 58th minute gave the hosts a much needed gap to see out the three points. Getting free to meet a lofted free kick from the wing, Afutu Kotey expertly directed his header into the ground from close range so that the ball bounced past Medeama keeper Frank Boateng.
In the other televised match on Sunday, Ashanti Gold overcame a saved Mark Agyekum penalty kick in the first half to eventually defeat Ebusua Dwarfs 1-0 at home. 19-year-old keeper Bright Quaye did brilliantly to guess the direction of the spot kick and push it away, keeping the match suspenseful. In the 54th minute, however, Seth Osei surged into the middle of the field from the right wing and unleashed a low stinging effort past Quaye from just inside 18 yards to give the Miners a needed first win in four games.
Highlights from both games are below.
Hearts of Oak 2-0 Medeama SC
Ashanti Gold 1-0 Ebusua Dwarfs