Big crowd as Hearts play thrilling draw with Kotoko in Ghana top-flight

Published on: 05 May 2013
Big crowd as Hearts play thrilling draw with Kotoko in Ghana top-flight
Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko entertained the fans at the Accra Sports Stadium

Ghana's top-flight league witnessed one of its biggest attendances in recent years when Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko played out an entertaining 1-1 draw in the Glo Premier League game in Accra on Sunday, sparking hopes that the competition is on the rise.

The champions came from a goal down to earn a vital away point against their arch rivals at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Hearts could have taken the lead in just the second minute of the game but defender Nuru Sulley’s header off an Obed Ansah free kick went wide.

Thomas Abbey also had a shot from deep going wide a minute later to signal Hearts’ attacking surge early in the game.

Nuru Sulley then had to clear a dangerous drop by goalkeeper Tetteh Lugard who failed to grab a Michael Helegbe cross in the 13th minute.

The resulting corner kick saw striker Seidu Bancey fail to direct his ferocious strike towards goal to hit the side net.

That miss proved dire as striker Winful Cobbinah drove in the opener just outside the Kotoko penalty area in the 27th minute to light up the mood at the Accra Sports Stadium with the Hearts fans buzzing with excitement.

They could have easily made it two within two minutes as captain Mahatma Otoo picked himself up from a foul to take the resulting free kick. His kick was however well wide off the post of goalkeeper Abdoulaye Soulama.

Midfielder Obed Ansah then squandered a glorious chance to extend Hearts lead in the 35th minute after blasting off an intelligent layoff from Mahatma Otoo.

Hearts however went on to control the game into halftime as Kotoko were reduced to only passing the ball amongst themselves with very minimal effect.

Kotoko looked the more hungrier side in the second half and deservedly got their equalizer after a series of good attempts on the Hearts goal.

Midfielder Michael Helegbe headed into an empty net after the out-rushing Tetteh Lugard completely missed the flight of a corner kick in the 66th minute.

The game from now on turned into the favour of the visitors who were creating all the best opportunities but were let down by that telling final pass and the goalkeeping heroics of Lugard in the Hearts post.

Hearts coach David Duncan however moved to redeem his side with the introduction of Gilbert Fiamenyo.

The burly striker’s influence was immediately felt as he rattled the post and had his goal-bound header cleared off the line within a space of a minute.

The ex Hearts of Lions hitman was again denied in the 83rd minute as his goal-bound short inside the Kotoko danger area was charged down by the flying Kwabena Edusei.

The fans were really entertained as the game turned into an end-to-end stuff as both sides went full out in search of the elusive winner.

Substitute Richard Mpong could have won it at the depth for Kotoko but his lob over on-rushing Tetteh Lugard went agonizingly wide.

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