Match Report: Hearts of Oak 0-2 Great Olympics as it happened, Ghana Premier League 2020/2021
With the bragging rights, pride and honour at stake in one of the fiercest derbies in Ghana, Great Olympics proved too powerful for Hearts of Oak in Saturday night football at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Hearts never expected all that different a side Olympics in Matchday 11 of the Ghana Premier League with the ‘Ga Mantse’ derby the only the fixture scheduled on Saturday evening.
Hearts of Oak have always come on top of the derby with the latest results before today’s game where Hearts won 4-0 last season hunting Great Olympics.
Heats were chasing their 41st Ga Mantse victory whiles Olympics were looking for their 19th after 32 already ending in a draw across all time meetings.
Olympics had vowed to take sweat revenge on their city rivals in today’s fixture but Hearts boss Kosta Papic took every word of Olympics serious and named a strong side to challenge the Blue and White side.
The Serbian International opted to start the game with 4-3-3 with Richmond Ayi between the sticks as Fatawu Mohammed, Nuru Sulley, Mohammed Alhassan and Raddy Ovouka completed the back four.
In midfield, Benjamin Afutu was missing (but later came in) having been replaced by returning Emmanuel Nettey, Frederick Ansah Botchway and Abdul Aziz Nurudeen came in for Willian Denkyi in the side that drew against Berekum Chelsea with Nurudeen sitting deeper in the three men system.
Abdul Manaf maintained his place but Patrick Razak return to the XI having him together with Manaf flanked the right and left sides of the pitch respectively as Victor Aidoo was placed in centre of the three.
Olympics boss Yaw Preko unleashed Maxwell Quaye Abbey and experience forward Gladson Awako and their duo attacking instinct got their job done before the 18’ minute as the away side return to winning ways.
Awako struck first from edge of the box after 11’ minutes into the game before Maxwell Quaye’s half volley from inside the box completed Olympics 2-0 score line.
Hearts could have pulled a goal back but Olympics goalkeeper Sai Salifu deny Victor Aidoo with a fantastic save early in the second half.
Olympics having relaxed protecting their 2-0 lead, they capitalized on Hearts mistake however Maxwell Abbey failed to grab his 6th goal of the season after seeing his lofted ball went straight on top of the net.
Abbey have now struck five times as today victory send his side Olympics to third on the Ghana Premier League standings while Hearts of Oak sit 4th with 16 points two below Olympics and failed to return to winning ways in Ga derby.
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