Akese scores as Black Meteors pip Hearts in friendly

Ghana’s Under-23 team, the Black Meteors beat Hearts of Oak by a lone goal in a preparatory game at the Accra Sports Stadium Wednesday morning.

Nzema Kotoko striker Akese Akese netted the only goal of the game in the second half.

After a slow start to the encounter, the Phobians lifted up their game and came close scoring but Bernard Arthur’s header from Christopher Bonney cross went off the posts.

Kofi Kordzi also came close to snatch the opener before hlftime, but his shot was met with good save from club mate and goalkeeper Richmond Ayi who was on the opposite side.

Despite an improved game from the Rainbow Boys, coach Ibrahim Tanko’s charges grabbed the opener against the run of play in the 67^th minute.

Akese Akese broke an offside trap, rounded goalkeeper Ben Mensah and calmly steered the ball into an empty net.

Hearts were presented with a nice opportunity to level up in the 89th minute but Kwadwo Obeng Jnr. failed to score with only the Meteors goalkeeper to beat.

The Black Meteors are preparing to face Algeria over two legs next month in the final round of the qualifiers to the 2019 Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations tournament.

Starting lineups:

Black Meteors: Richmond Ayi – Caleb Amankwah, Frank Akoto, Emmanuel Cudjoe, Zakaria Fuseini, Abdul Nassiru Hamza, Michael Agbekpornu, Foster Ali Braimah, Shiraz Mohammed, Akese Akese, Abdul-Aziz Nurudeen

Hearts of Oak: Benjamin Mensah – Christopher Bonney, Robert Addo, Stephen Bonney, Raddy Ovouka, Aminu Alhassan, Ibrahim Sumalia, Bernard Arthur, Dominic Eshun, Kofi Kordzi, Michelle Sarpong