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A Patrick Razak stunner in the 67th minute was all that was required for the Phobians to claim another famous victory over their archrivals Asante Kotoko.
Match - Ghana Premier League
Teams - Asante Kotoko v Hearts of Oak
Venue - Baba Yara Stadium, Kumasi
Date - 29th April, 2018
Accra Hearts of Oak continued their enviable record in Kumasi as they extended their 12 year unbeaten run on Sunday beating Kotoko by 1-0 on match week 10 of the Ghana Premier League. With all other league games played on Friday and Saturday, the attention was turned to the big one in Kumasi.
The visitors starting the game from the bottom 5 needed a win to catapult themselves back into contention. A win and nothing else was on the card.
Both sides started strongly but spurned the early chances that came their ways with the two teams playing high defensive lines. Hearts quickly dropped back a bit deeper as the host began to take control of the game with captain Musah Inusah marshaling his teammates at the back with a commanding display.
Coach Paa Kwasi Fabin was forces into an early substitution when midfielder Prince Acquah picked up an injury in the 9th minute and was replaced by Douglas Owusu Ansah.
Kotoko continued to press looking to unsettle Hearts with some passing speed, taking shots from distances in a bid to catch Ben Mensah off guard but failed with all the attempts to really trouble the Hearts goalie. Their best chance falling to diminutive Emmanuel Gymafi who picked up a loose ball, raced through on goal but lacked composure with his shot as his effort flew high off the goal. The Phobians on the other hand looked dangerous on the counter attack any time they threatened with the speed of Patrick Razak and physicality of Joseph Esso.
Hearts got themselves into their groove making midfielders Malik Akowah and Winful Cobbinah see the ball more. The latter beginning to find spaces to pick passes which one found its way to Esso who twisted and turned Nafiu before shooting at goal but his shot missed the goal by a distance.
Hearts then found some joy on the left side of their attack where Patrick Razak was operating. His mazy and direct runs caused troubles for the Kotoko defenders but failed to make anything meaningful with all those chances.
The away fans jumped off their seats with jeers when referee Timothy Obuobisa ignore what appeared to be a good shout for a penalty midway through the first half. Tables turned within a matter of moments when Kotoko found themselves on the offensive. Debutant striker Songne Yacouba was felled in box by Benjamin Agyare but referee opted to award a freekick to the anger of the home fans.
Half time came with both sides showing little in terms of goalscoring.
Pep talks from both coaches seemed to ginger the teams as they both upped the tempo in the second half giving the goalkeepers things to think about.
Hearts young striker and debutant Kwadwo Obeng almost broke the deadlock with a beautiful play. He exchanged passes with Esso then easily went past Nafiu but his shot was feeble to beat Felix Annan. The Phobians continued to threaten with Winful Cobbinah especially coming into life in the second half. His passing and vision was unparalleled on the pitch picking up the attackers with ease with his defense splitting through balls.
Hearts fans began to raise their voices to spur their players on. The players responded with an improved and sustained pressure on the home side. Patrick Razak played a one-two with Cobbinah and attempted an audacious overhead kick which almost sneaked in but Felix Annan did brilliantly well to deny them.
Hearts’ goal seemed imminent from then with fans urging their side on. Again Cobbinah picked up Razak after some wonderful play by Akowuah and the speedy attacker drifting unto his right beating two Kotoko defenders and rifling a shot beyond Felix Annan to send the away end into rapturous mood midway through the second half.
Kotoko quickly made changes to stop the Phobian second half attacks by bringing on Obed Owusu for Emmanuel Gyamfi. Hearts also brought on Burkinabe Traore for Obeng in a bid to force Kotoko back and Ben Afutu on for the hardworking Esso to congest the midfield. The Phobians still continued finding spaces behind the Kotoko defense but kept missing their chances to extend their lead and but the game to bed.
Kotoko threw in striker Yakubu Mohamed for the ineffective Fredrick Boateng in the dying moments looks to at least wrestle a point from the game but the striker barely had a touch of the ball as the Phobians run down the time in deep in the half of Kotoko. Razak and Cobbinah again were happy to exchange passes between them by the corner flag for the entirety of the additional time added.
The Referee’s final whistle was greeted with cheers and jubilation from the away end of the stadium. Hearts of Oak beating their bitterest rivals Asante Kotoko in a premier league game.
Man of The Match - Patrick Razak
Line ups - Kotoko: Felix Annan, Amos Frimpong, Frimpong Manso, Nafiu Awudu, Wahab Adams, Jackson Owusu, Daniel Darkwah, Prince Acquah (Douglas Owusu 10”), Yacouba, Fredrick Boateng (Yakubu Mohamed 89”), Emmanuel Gyamfi (Obed Owusu 75”)
Hearts: Ben Mensah, Fatawu, Robert Addo, Ben Agyare, Musah Nuhu, Malik Akowuah, Aminu, Winful, Kwadwo Obeng (Traore 63”), Joseph Esso (Afutu 75”), Razak.
By: Kofi Esikyire / GHPLLive
Twitter: @esikyire
