body-container-line-1
15.04.2007 General News

Hearts cage Lions as Hasmal ‘Do’ Kotoko

15.04.2007 LISTEN
By myjoyonline

Accra Hearts of Oak on Saturday registered two goals over Kpando Heart of Lions to virtually wrap up this year's Premiership title at Dansoman.

League leaders and Hearts' closest pursuers Asante Kotoko were at the receiving end of a crafty Sekondi Hasaacas side, who managed to water down Kotoko's belated chase for the league diadem with a 2:1 scoreline.

The Phobians scored once in each half and with two more games to go for the end of the season, they indeed are home and dry, also equaling Asante Kotoko's 18-league wins.

Hearts of Oak are now on 55 points, while Kotoko remain on 48 after losing 1-2 to Hasaacas at Sunyani.

Hearts went ahead in the 10th minute from the penalty spot, courtesy Stanley Afedzie after advancing Ekow Ghansah was upended in the visitors' defence.

Lions, who dominated play, took charge after the goal and made spectators believe that an equalizer was imminent with every move, but their efforts lacked the cutting edge to punish the rather lousy Hearts rearguards.

Hearts of Oak resumed from recess a better side and almost doubled their lead 10 minutes into the half when Afedzie' well-taken free-kick missed the target narrowly.

Then came Lions' Sadat Bukari. After tearing the Hearts defence into shreds, over elaboration took the better of him, as he allowed a retreating Eric Gawu to steal the ball from him.

Gawu threaded the ball to Ghansah, who raced with it on the left flank, from deep inside his own half, avoiding stiff challenges from the Heart of Lions defenders before coming face to face with advancing goalkeeper Stephen Ahorlu.

Ghansah squeezed the ball past the goalkeeper and into the net to give Hearts of Oak the second goal and an unassailable lead in the Onetouch Premiership.

The rest of the 28th Week matches would be cleared on Sunday.

body-container-line