Accra Hearts of Oak inched closer to their first league title in over a decade when they beat rivals Asante Kotoko by a lone goal in their top of the table clash at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday.
It was a game that was hyped and rightly so. For the first time, both Hearts of Oak and Kotoko went into a game so crucial that the winner of it will literally have one hand one this season’s league title.
At 56 points each going into the game, Hearts knew only a goalless draw or a win will keep them at the summit while Kotoko needed a scoring draw or a win to overtake their rivals.
And on the day both set out to win from the blast of the whistle.
In the first half of very few chances, both Hearts and Kotoko came close on a few occasions. Hearts of Oak had lost their talismanic midfielder Emmanuel Nettey to injury in as early as the 10th minute.
Typical of big games, there was a lot of caution from both sides, with both coaches careful not to make a mistake in the early stages of the game.
But the game really came alive in the second half with Hearts and Kotoko eager to get a win.
Hearts of Oak however were the better of the sides on the day, playing comfortable and winning all the personal duels in the middle of the park.
Hearts of Oak’s probing finally paid off in the 66th-minute when in-form Daniel Afriyie smashed a deflected shot into the roof of the net.
Kotoko threw everything forward from that point and should have had an equalizer when Augustine Okrah had just Hearts goalkeeper Richard Attah to beat fluffed his lines.
Hearts of Oak held on and even had chances to double their lead to record a famous victory against Kotoko.
Hearts of Oak are hoping to win the Ghana Premier League title for the first time in a decade since winning it in 2009.
Hearts of Oak are currently on top of the league table with 59 points.
