Beleaguered Accra Hearts of Oak secured a much-needed 2-0 victory over Nations FC on Friday night, propelling themselves into a more comfortable mid-table position.
The win, achieved at the Accra Sports Stadium, brings a much-needed sigh of relief to the Phobians.
Hearts of Oak started the match with a clear purpose, desperate to break their two-game losing streak and distance themselves from the relegation scrap.
Their efforts were rewarded early on as striker Hamzah Issah opened the scoring in the 7th minute, netting his 13th league goal of the season.
The Phobians continued to press forward, and their dominance paid off again in the 15th minute. Ivorian import Kassim Cissé added his name to the scoresheet with a well-placed strike, doubling Hearts of Oak’s lead and effectively putting the game to bed.
The second half saw Hearts of Oak focus on managing their lead, while Nations FC struggled to break down a resolute Phobians defense. The final whistle blew on a 2-0 scoreline, marking a crucial victory for Hearts of Oak.
Hearts of Oak head coach, Aboubakar Ouattara expressed how crucial getting all the 3 points is in their bid for safety.
“We get the three points and that’s the important thing and now we are thinking about the next match”.
This win sees a significant shift in fortunes for the Accra giants. They climb four places in the league table, moving from a precarious 15th position to a more comfortable 11th. However, coach Aboubakar Ouattara will be aware that the job is far from over.
Asked whether Hearts of Oak will survive in this season’s premier league, Aboubakar Ouattara responded, “we need to survive and that is the only thing I can tell you”.
For Nations FC, the defeat is a setback in their quest for a top-four finish. However, they will be looking to bounce back and continue their impressive run in the Ghana Premier League.
Hearts of Oak’s victory serves as a reminder that the fight against relegation is far from over in the Ghana Premier League.
The remaining matches promise to be tense and exciting as teams battle for survival and glory in the top flight of Ghanaian football.