Accra Hearts of Oak earned a 3-1 win over their bitterest rivals Asante Kotoko in the Ghana@60 anniversary game at the Accra sports stadium on Monday afternoon.
None of two sides manage to score a goal in the first half but it was the Porcupine Warriors wasteful strikers who missed some glorious opportunities which could have shot them in front.
Back from break,substitute Kwame Kozito broke the deadlock, but Asante Kotoko responded quickly with the equaliser from Awal Mohammed’s header.
The Phobians however took control of the game and Thomas Abbey restored their lead, before the Phobians registered the third goal through dangerous Patrick Razak to beat their bitterest rivals 3-1.
Patrick Razak, who was unstoppable upfront for Hearts with his skills was named the man of the match.
The second leg will be played on 28th May, 2017 in Kumasi.
Line-ups:
Hearts XI:
Samuel Akurugu – Fatawu Mohamed, Anthony Nimo, Richard Akrofi, Vincent Atingah, Leonard Tawiah, Patrick Razak, Winful Cobbinah/86’ Samudeen Ibrahim, Cosmos Dauda/59’ Kwame Kizito, Samuel Yeboah/83’ Isaac Mensah, Thomas Abbey
Unused subs:
Benjamin Mensah, Robert Addo, Daniel Kordie, Paul Acquah
Kotoko XI:
Felix Annan, Ahmed Adams, Edwin Tuffour, Awudu Nafiu, Awal Mohammed, Jackson Owusu, Frank Sarfo Gyamfi/56’ Emmanuel Gyamfi, Michael Akuffu/77’ Seth Opare, Prince Acquah, Obed Owusu/79’ Yakubu Mohammed, Abass Mohammed/72’ Kwame Boahene
Unused subs:
Ernest Sowah, Eric Donkor, Abeiku Ainooson