The highly-anticipated Ghana Premier League clash between arch-rivals Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko ended in a goalless draw at the Accra Sports Stadium on Saturday, as both sides failed to find the back of the net in a fiercely contested encounter.
In a game that promised fireworks, neither side could seize the initiative in front of a passionate crowd. The result extends Asante Kotoko’s winless run on the road to eight consecutive away games, while Hearts of Oak missed the chance to climb the table and narrow the gap on their old foes.
The match was characterized by tight marking and limited goal-scoring opportunities. Hearts of Oak’s leading scorer Mawuli Wayo, with five goals to his name this season, was kept quiet by a resolute Kotoko backline marshaled by Abdul Karim Zito’s disciplined tactics. At the other end, Albert Amoah, Kotoko’s top marksman with eight goals, struggled to make a decisive impact against Hearts’ compact defense.
The draw means Hearts of Oak remain winless against Abdul Karim Zito in league meetings, stretching his unbeaten record against the Phobians to seven games. Asante Kotoko, meanwhile, miss the chance to claim a fourth consecutive league win over their rivals but maintain their recent dominance in head-to-head records.
The result leaves Asante Kotoko in 4th place with 51 points from 30 matches, while Hearts of Oak stay 6th on the table with 46 points. Bibiani Gold Stars continue to lead the standings with 56 points, closely followed by Nations FC (54) and Heart of Lions (53).