#NCSpecial Tier 2: Hearts knocked out by Unistar
The Phobians were beaten 5-4 via PKs after 1-1 in regulation time
Jubliant Unistar players | COURTESY: Dada Oliseh Photos
Midfielder Aminu Alhassan fluffed his spot-kick as Hearts of Oak lost their Normalization Special Cup second tier Round of 16 clash with Unistar Academy on penalties.
Reduced to 10 men as a result of a 47th minute red card handed Raddy Ovouka at the Accra Sports Stadium, the Phobians looked to be heading for a slim victory courtesy Kojo Obeng Junior’s solo which was recorded just before half-time break.
But the Division One side stunned their hosts – in similar fashion – with Joshua Jesse scoring a stoppage equalizer which forced the game to be decided by penalty shootout right after regulation time.
Both sides were expertly converting their kicks until Aminu Alhassan stepped up for the 5th kick by Hearts. The midfielder saw his effort down the right saved by goalkeeper Peter Onyame who emerged the unlikely hero of the day.
Youngster Abdul Rahman was not overawed by the big stage as he kept his composure to drill low into the net to ensure Unistar won the tie 5-4 on penalties.
Hearts of Oak’s dreams of returning to Africa this year at least through the Caf Confederation Cup ends by this defeat.
Kasoa-based Unistar Soccer Academy have now booked a quarterfinal date with Proud United who also shocked Liberty Professionals on Sunday.
Round of 16 Results
AshantiGold 2-1 New Edubiase
Medeama 9-8 Samartex (penalties)
Kotoko 2-1 Nkoranza Warriors
Berekum Arsenals 3-2 BA United
Hearts 4-5 UniStar (penalties)
Heart of Lions 2-0 Kotoku Royals
Nzema Kotoko 3-0 Vision FC
Liberty 2-4 Proud United (penalties)
Quarterfinal pairings
- Kotoko v Berekum Arsenals
- AshantiGold v Medeama
- Heart of Lions v Nzema Kotoko
- Proud United v Unistar Academy
