Hearts advance to next round of FA Cup

Accra, April 25, GNA – Accra Hearts of Oak SC came from behind to beat second-tier side, Dunkwa United 2-1 on Wednesday at the Accra Sports Stadium to advance to the Round of 16 of the FA Cup competition.

Though not a vintage output from the Phobians, it was enough to land them passage into the next round at the expense of the visitors who didn't disgrace themselves throughout the duration of the game.

After a win-less run in their previous two games, much was expected of the host to salvage their image to keep alive their hopes of a silverware this season with the Premier League title destined for the camp of their bitterest rivals, Kumasi Asante Kotoko.

Hearts coach Charles Akunnor made changes to his line up by handing starting roles to right back Bobie Ansah and the midfield duo of Ali Alhassan and Ganiyu Haruna in his quest to end the team's unfamiliar spell at their home base of late.

It was, however, the visitors who shot into the lead on 18 minutes through their burly striker Abubakar Swallah who headed in from close range after Hearts goalie Sammy Adjei loosely palmed the latter's initial header at goal.

Akunnor will make his first change shortly by bringing on Uriah Asante for Ganiyu as he varied his tactics in midfield.

The effort yielded dividends and six minutes from time Mahatma Otoo drew level to end the first half. it was substitute Asante who initiated the move by fetching Sadat whose seemingly feeble shot was spilled by a confident Dunkwa United goalie Isaac Amoah, thus allowing Otoo to easily tuck home the equalizer.

Hearts dominated the second half and deservedly went up for the first time in the game on 68 minutes through Asante, who fired past onrushing keeper Amoah after Otoo put him through with the defence of the visitors in a dream world as to the 'danger' looming for their elimination.

The visitors who had earlier resorted to delay tactics later had to show some positive traits but Hearts goalie Adjei was to his side's rescue consistently to check any mishap.

United's lone striker Swallah was gifted with the last gasp opportunity to restore parity for his side but his thunderbolt from a free-kick missed target narrowly to mark their end in the knockout competition.

Hearts will face another second-tier side Elmina Sharks at the Round of 16 on Sunday, May 6 at the Accra Sports Stadium.

GNA