Premier League: Hearts of Oak Brush Aside Medeama SC; Accra Lions Drop Points at Home
In a thrilling showdown at the TnA Stadium on Friday night, Hearts of Oak delivered a sensational attacking performance, defeating the previously dominant Medeama SC 2-0.
This victory marked a significant moment for the Phobians, as they handed the Mauve and Yellow their first home defeat of the season.
The match showcased Hearts’ tactical prowess, particularly in their ability to exploit counter-attacks. The breakthrough came in the 63rd minute when Kwabena Boateng seized on a defensive blunder by Medeama’s Nurudeen Abdulai. Boateng deftly maneuvered past goalkeeper Appiah Kubi, finding the back of the net and sending the traveling fans into a frenzy.
As the game progressed, Hearts continued to apply pressure, and substitute Mawuli Wayo sealed the win with a powerful header in the 88th minute. Outpacing Abdulai and Kamaradini Mamudu, Wayo’s goal ensured that Medeama would leave the pitch empty-handed, despite their dominance in possession throughout the match.
Medeama’s inability to convert chances, particularly from forward Diawise Taylor, proved costly. Taylor missed several key opportunities that could have shifted the momentum, ultimately leading to the home side’s frustration as they faced their first loss at the TnA Stadium this season.
With this victory, Hearts of Oak climbed to 7th place in the league standings, amassing 12 points. Meanwhile, Medeama remains in a strong third position with 15 points from nine matches, but they will need to regroup quickly to maintain their competitive edge.
In another captivating encounter on Friday night, FC Samartex 1996 managed to snatch a dramatic 1-1 draw against Accra Lions FC at the University of Ghana Stadium. The Lions appeared poised for victory after Abdul Shakun-Abubakar scored in the 43rd minute, giving them a narrow lead heading into the second half.
However, the match took an exciting turn as the clock wound down. Just when it seemed the Lions would secure all three points, Benedict Afful emerged as the hero for Samartex. In a tense added time, Afful netted the equalizer, ensuring that both teams would share the spoils in a match that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
With this result, the defending champions, FC Samartex, now sit fourth in the league with 14 points, while Accra Lions remain just above the relegation zone, in need of points to secure their position as the season unfolds.
