Hamza Issah Rues Penalty Miss as Phobia Succumbed to Third League Defeat
Accra Hearts of Oak suffered their third defeat of the season as they fell 1-0 to Bibiani Gold Stars in a tightly contested match at the University of Ghana Stadium.
Despite a strong performance and dominating ball possession, Hearts could not break down Gold Stars’ resilient defense, allowing the league leaders to walk away with all three points.
The match’s only goal came in the 69th minute when Samuel Attah-Kumi found the back of the net, capitalizing on a lapse in Hearts’ defense.
Attah-Kumi’s strike put Gold Stars in control and added pressure on the Phobians, who were hoping to improve on recent mixed results.
Six minutes later, Hearts were awarded a penalty that seemed destined to shift the game’s momentum. Forward, Hamza Issah stepped up with a chance to equalize, but his attempt was expertly saved by Gold Stars’ goalkeeper Emmanuel Kobi.
Kobi’s diving save to his left not only denied Hearts a potential lifeline but also highlighted his impressive performance, earning him the Man of the Match award.
The statistics reflected Hearts of Oak’s dominance, as they held 54% of possession and attempted 19 shots, although only four of those were on target. Their eight corner kicks went unrewarded as Gold Stars’ defense, anchored by Kobi, held firm until the final whistle.
The defeat leaves Hearts of Oak in a challenging position with a recent record of one win, three draws, and one loss in their last five games.
Currently ranked 12th in the 18-team league, Hearts will need to regroup and sharpen their finishing in the upcoming games to improve their standing.
Meanwhile, Bibiani Gold Stars, buoyed by their strong form, continue to lead the league, maintaining their position at the top of the table with 18 points.