Ghanaian giant Accra Hearts of Oak SC came from a goal down to secure a back-to-back MTN FA Cup trophy against Bechem United FC on Saturday evening.
The Hunters failed to take advantage of their lead against the Rainbow Boys at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi to win back-to-back MTN FA CUP trophy under coach Samuel Boadu in his one and half year stay at the club.
Hearts also came into the game and had their chances but Daniel Afriyie Barnieh and Benjamin Yorke fluffed their lines.
Halfway through the first half of the match, Bechem United FC finally broke the deadlock as they capitalized on Yorke’s mistake before Emmanuel Avornyo tapped in from Augustine Okrah’s rebound to make it 1-0.
Just before the break, Samuel Inkoom, a former Kumasi Asante Kotoko SC defender sent in a wonderful cross from the right side of attack into the path of of Caleb Amankwah who’s bicycle kick found the left corner to make it 1-1.
Hearts started the game very strongly but faded out after just 10 minutes of the frenetic encounter.
Bechem United dominated the next 20 minutes of the match and pushed the Phobians back into their own half with scintillating display.
The Hunters had the better chances and came close to scoring with a lot good chances but failed to capitalize on their earlier opportunities.
Thirteen minutes into the second half of the match, Hearts played a quick and beautiful passes on the left side of attack and Gladson Awako, the Man-Of-The-Match sent in a delicious cross which was swiftly, excellently and intelligently converted by birthday boy Afriyie Barnieh to turn it around and put Hearts in the lead.
Hearts controlled the game and played better than their opponents in the second half and were the better team in the second 45 minutes of the match.
Experienced and star player of Bechem United FC, Augustine Okrah was sent off after headbutting the assisting referee for a throw he awarded against the Hunters which the player didn’t agree with ref and was sent to take an early shower.
Hearts held on and created decent chances which couldn’t be converted by Afriyie Barnieh – and Bechem United nearly grabbed the equalizer late in the game.
With the intensity of game dropping as the minutes went by, Hearts of Oak Coach Samuel Boadu brought on Robert Addo Sowah for the injured Caleb Amankwaa. Benjamin Yorke also made way for Kojo Obeng Junior while William Dankyi got sacrificed for Fatawu Mohammed as Hearts of Oak held on to win 2-1 – their 12th MTN FA Cup title in history.
The Phobians will play in next season’s CAF Confederation Cup after winning the FA Cup title.
Meanwhile, Hearts of Oak will face rivals Asante Kotoko SC in the Super Cup challenge before the start of the 2022-23 season.
