GPL REVIEW: Hearts begin post-Keni era with win, Kotoko held, All Stars maintain top spot

13 goals
7 home wins
1 draw
3 away goals
HEARTS 1-0 DREAMS
Accra Hearts of Oak moved second on the Ghana Premier League table ] a 1-0 win over Dreams FC at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday. Hearts who began life without coach Kenichi Yatsuhashi were the dominant side in Accra and should have won by a bigger margin if not for their prolificacy. The Japanese American who was in the stands, witnessed the Phobians start with Samudeen Ibrahim for the first time since matchday one and it was the reigning division one best player who provided the crucial assist for striker Cosmos Kelechi Dauda to the strike the only goal of the game. The Phobians had Yaw Preko direct affairs from the touchline while new coach Sergio Tranquil sat in the stands. Defender Kassenu Ghandi and striker Patrick Razak were given the official debut by the club. There was however a cause of concern for Dreams who saw leading striker Lawson Bekui rushed to the hospital with a potentially serious injury.

TECHIMAN CITY 1-1 KOTOKO
Techiman City maintained their fine home run with a 1-1 draw against Asante Kotoko. It was a fiercely fought encounter with both sides fighting for supremacy. Kotoko, who were aiming to improve their standing on the league log fell behind in the first half through former striker Stephen Manu who expertly converted a free kick. Skipper Amos Frimpong restored parity for Kotoko with a fine header in the second. There was however cause for alarm when Yussif Hussein of Techiman City and Theophilus Nyame and Kotoko were rushed to the hospital after a collision in the second department.

WA ALL STARS 1-0 BEREKUM CHELSEA
Wa All Stars consolidated their lead at the top of the Ghana Premier League with a 1-0 win over Berekum Chelsea at the Wa Park. Midfielder Abdul Ganiu caught the Blues defenders unaware and steered home a powerful header to poke All Stars into the lead mid-way through the first-half to complete a double over the Blues. The result will be welcoming for the league leaders who were bundled out of the FA Cup by lowly Wa Rockets.

NEW EDUBIASE 1-0 MEDEAMA
New Edubiase United ended their 5 game winless streak with a 1-0 victory over Medeama SC at the Len Clay stadium.Medeama failed to make their dominance count in the first half of game and were duly punished through Godfred Asiamah after a solo run by Bismark Idan who was making a return to the Edubiase team. Coach Prince Owusu gave new signing Amos Korankye his debut but his presence could not inspire a win. Medeama SC came close to equalizing on several occasions but Benjamin Mensah stood tall to make brilliant saves. Medeama host MO Bejaia on Wednesday in the CAF Confederations Cup while New Edubiase United travel to Dawu to face Dreams FC next.

DWARFS 1-0 LIBERTY
Ebusua Dwarfs managed a second successive home win under new coach Prosper Nartye with a slim 1-0 win over Liberty Professionals.Former Asante Kotoko defender Christopher Bonney scored the only goal of the game for the Mysterious Club through spot kick in the second-half of the game. Liberty attacker Latif Blessing huffed and puffed but could not find a way through a resolute Dwarfs back line.

BECHEM 2-1 ADUANA
Aduana Stars lost yet another Bono derby with a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Bechem United. Bechem continued from where they left off in the FA Cup when Striker Abednego Tetteh fired the Hunters ahead midway through the first-half before Yaw Arnol intelligently added the second goal in 39 minutes.Former Tema Youth and Ghana U23 attacker Bright Adjei headed home the consolation goal for Aduana in the 73rd minute who slumped to a second straight away defeat.

WAFA 2-1 ASHANTIGOLD
New coach Akakpo Patron began his reign as WAFA coach with a 2-1 win over AshantiGold in Sogakope.Skipper Martin Antwi raced WAFA into the lead in the 2nd minute, which incidentally was the first goal of the second round, before Ghana U20 attacker Charles Boateng, who scored the first goal of the leage, topped it up for the academy side. The Miners got the consolation goal through Safiu Mumuni in the 79th minute mark who now drop to 15th on the league log.

INTER ALLIES 1-0 HASAACAS
Inter Allies recorded a 1-0 win over Sekondi Hasaacas behind closed doors at the Tema Park. Former Ebusua Dwarfs striker Frederick Boateng atoned for his penalty miss by scoring in the 4th minute to register his fifth goal of the season. The result , a second successive home winf for the Tema side, moves Inter Allies clear of the danger zone.

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Story by Ghana/Joy Sports/Kweku Arhin