For the second time running within the space of four days, Ghanaian giant Hearts Of Oak beat city rivals Accra Lions in the MTN FA cup round of 64 from the Dansoman sports stadium.
Twenty second minute strike by poster boy Salifu Ibrahim after he had latched on to an Isaac Mensah’s pass was enough to ensure the Phobians pip Lions by 1-0 for the second sucessive time once thumbing them 2-0 over the weekend from the Cape Coast sports stadium in the GPL matchday nine.
Leading the first half by a goal to nil, Hearts Of Oak was with the first booking when Ushau Abu got the fury of refree Charles Bulu for a clumsy challenge on Remember Boateng.
Pushing virgously to have ensured stability interms of scoreline, the giants were denied the second goal with such a superb save from Appiah Kubi denying what would have been a contender for the best goal of the season by Gladson Awako on the 72″ minutes.
Taking the Phobians to victory, Ibrahim Salifu was eventually substituted given the 62″ minute together with Kofi Kodzi for the presence of Kojo Obeng Junior and Emmanuel Baffi respectively.
Meanwhile, Enoch Esubonteng, Benjamin Yorke, 15″ minute to time, had their plight for the rainbow colors when Gladson Awako and Isaac Mensah had given way.
With little from the lions team, expect for a number of classic saves from their goalkeeper, that was all to see as refree whistled to end proceedings as Hearts Of Oak qualifies to the next round of the competition.
Hearts Of Oak will play host to Berekum Chelsea next wednesday 29th December 2021, beginning their three outstanding league matches through to their Africa campaign.
MTN FA CUP – Salifu Ibrahim strike as Hearts Of Oak beat Accra Lions
