Hearts sweats past RTU
Hearts of Oak laboured to a 3-2 win over Real Tamale United (RTU) in their week six 2012/2013 Premier League encounter on Sunday at the Accra Sports Stadium.
A last-gasp strike by Edward Affum handed the Phobians their first win in four matches and fuels their thirst ahead of the derby with bitterest rivals Asante Kotoko in a fortnight.
Playing their first game after the dismissal of head coach Charles Akunnor, Hearts, yet again were ordinary with a performance which left many wondering if the decision to part ways with the former Black Stars captain was the best.
RTU ended the game without head coach Mohamed Gargo on the touchlines after being sent off and only have themselves to blame for finishing a game they were on the verge of victory pointless. The ‘Pride of North’ registered their first ever win over the Phobians in Accra during the 2010/2011 season, a 2-1 scoreline.
Hearts got off well and had the luxury of missing a penalty in the early stages of the game as midfielder Moro Abubakar blasted wide from the spot.
On the quarter-hour mark, captain Mahatma Otoo broke the deadlock firing in from close range, making clear their intent to grab the maximum points.
The goal however turned to be a flash in the pan as the visitors took control and it was only a matter of time that the equalizer would come. It did arrived 40 minutes on through Abdul Aziz Yusif who connected in a free-kick.
Having lost the midfield battle to the visitors, veteran Laryea Kingston was introduced into the game in the second half in the quest to recapture that segment. However, it was the central defence weakened by the absence of the burly Godwin Osei Bonsu in the early stages after sustaining an injury that exposed the Phobians as Abdul Ganiyu failed to meet the demands.
Expectedly, RTU shot into the lead on 58 minutes through Salim Sakara who slammed home after Hearts goalie Tetteh Lugard spilled Amin Mohammed’s thunderbolt unto his path.
Hearts fought on and landed a penalty on 80 minutes after Affum was fouled in the vital area by his marker. The resultant spot kick was converted home by substitute Iddrisu Moro for the equalizer.
The match was heading for a stalemate and on the stroke of full time, Gargo was given the marching off orders for allegedly exchanging words with the referee after Abdulai Karim was left unattended following a collision with a Hearts player.
Just when Gargo was being ushered off the pitch, Affum scored the match winner heading home from Kingston corner-kick at the edge of the penalty area to seal victory.
Source: GNA