Hearts of Oak back on top of table after 2-1 beating of Legon Cities as Obeng Junior and Frederick Botchway net in victory
Hearts of Oak have climbed back to the top of the Ghana Premier League table after beating Legon Cities 2-1 on Thursday evening at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Samule Boadu’s men were reluctant against last-minute pressure from Legon Cities as Hearts ended the game 8 games without a defeat.
Their unbeaten run was under serious threat with 10th placed Legon Cities hoping to bounce back from defeat to Karela United. And Hearts playing a day after their main title contenders Asante Kotoko came along with extra demand as the title race become hotter.
Legon Cities missed Ghana veteran Asamoah Gyan due to failure to train with his team this week in preparations for this clash. The Africa’s all-time top score at the FIFA World Cup has made only 12 league appearance for Legon Cities and failed to net in the season.
Hearts of Oak needed only victory to parry off pressure handed upon by Kotoko’s 2-1 victory over 6th placed Karela United yesterday as the Porcupine Warriors move three points above the Accra based side.
Having started the game on slow note, Hearts took a surprise 2-0 lead with strikes from Kwadwo Obeng Jr. and Frederick Ansah Botchway the goals that put the way side ahead before the 39’ minute mark.
Afriyie Barnierh was the master class in Hearts’ opener, beating two of his markers inside Legon Cities box before sliding a pass to unmarked Obeng Jr to score in an empty net 29’ minute into the first half.
Nine minutes later, Hearts doubled their lead with Ansah Botchway sending in a powerful long drive to the bottom left corner as the midfielder scored a rebound of resultant corner from Raddy Ovouka.
Victorien Adebayor pulled one back for Legon Cities, scoring a fantastic free kick from the right side of the pitch. The free kick went direct to Richard Atta but the Heart goalkeeper failed to deal with the ball as it went straight into the bottom corner.
Today’s victory send Hearts back to the Premier League table top (56 points) with a title decider clash with Asante Kotoko awaits them on Sunday at same venue. Meanwhile, Asante Kotoko also have 56 points but a less off their rivals in terms of goal difference.
