Ten-man Hearts of Oak beat archrivals Asante Kotoko by a lone goal to move joint second on the Ghana Premier League table.
It was a crucial game for the two sides with Hearts of Oak’s Head Coach Mas-Ud Didi Dramani making a return to a familiar ground, Baba Yara Sports Stadium, where he won the league title as Asante Kotoko coach.
Prior to the game, the Porcupine Warriors had suffered a setback as Head Coach Abdul-Karim Zito had resigned days before the encounter.
His assistant, Prince Yaw Owusu, therefore, stepped in to lead the team for the clash.
But it was Hearts of Oak who dominated play from the start of FIFA referee Daniel Laryea’s whistle.
Their dominance paid off in the 16th minute when the Phobians, with the best away record so far in the league, took advantage of a set piece to open the score.
Baba Adamu connected to a Martin Karikari cross with a flick header, beating Mohamed Camara in post for the home side.
Though the Phobians were reduced to 10 men after a second bookable offence by Emmanuel Amankwah, they held on to scoop all the three points from the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
The win takes them to third place, same on points as second-placed Bibiani Goldstars, on the log. They both have 39 points, five points behind leaders Medeama SC.
Hearts of Oak’s next game will be at home to Samuel Boadu’s Berekum Chelsea.
Asante Kotoko, on the other hand, will seek to make amends as they travel to Wenchi to face Young Apostles on Matchday 23.
