Hearts of Oak held leaders Asante Kotoko to a goalless draw at the Accra Sports Stadium in a 2021/22 Ghana Premier League (GPL) match-day 7 outstanding fixture Sunday afternoon.
Goalkeeper Richard Attah produced some outstanding saves to stop the defending champions from conceding as both teams had chances to have scored and won it.
The Phobians had a better start to the game with early chances coming their way but none was put into judicious use.
Daniel Afriyie swiveled wide from a Sulley Muntari short corner before the latter’s spectacular effort from an excellent chance close to the posts went over the bar. All under 10 minutes.
Attah produced an acrobatic stop to deny Franck Mbella the opener in 13 minutes.
Kwadwo Obeng Junior hit the woodwork in the 15th minute from a Daniel Afriyie cut-back when the forward beat Ismail Ganiyu to an Attah long ball.
Richmond Lamptey had the first attempt on target in the second half but his effort from the middle of the box went into the arms of Attah.
Lamptey forced a desperate save from Attah two minutes to the hour mark when he hit a shot from the middle of the box.
Hearts of Oak took charge of the game from the 70th minute, playing all the ball after a good start to the second half by Kotoko.
Substitute Ansah Botchway tried his luck from range four minutes from time but his effort went over the bar as the two most glamourous Ghanaian clubs settle for a draw as large spectators returned to the stadium for the first time since COVID-19 broke out.
The draw means the Porcupine Warriors are seven points clear at the top of the league with their 37 ahead of the start of the second round.
Hearts of Oak, with 25 points from 17 games, are 12 points behind Prosper Narteh Ogum’s side and 7th on the league log.
📸🗣| THE STANDINGS after 2021/22 GPL First Round👇:
• @AsanteKotoko_SC finish as leaders with 7 points over second-placed @BechemUnitedFC.
• Oly & Aduana in Top4: @HeartsOfOakGH – 7th.
• Drop zone: WAFA, Wonders, Sharks.
.#FootyGhana | https://t.co/cOdDhcSTGq | #FootyGPL pic.twitter.com/QJ3qu1fXk4
— Footy-Ghana.com 🇬🇭 (@FootyGhana) February 20, 2022
By Adamu enin Abdul Karim
