Hearts of Oak’s title hopes took another hit as they played out a goalless draw against Basake Holy Stars in a frustrating Ghana Premier League clash on Sunday.
Despite numerous goal-scoring opportunities at both ends, neither side could find the breakthrough, with Hearts guilty of wasting key chances.
Having dropped points in their previous game, the Phobians started brightly, aiming to bounce back. Hamza Issa broke free from a threaded pass by Ramzy Yussif, but the striker was flagged offside early on.
Holy Stars began to assert themselves after the opening exchanges, with Michael Ampadu making a crucial intervention to deny Prince Tweneboah a clear chance on goal 20 minutes in.
Against the run of play, Hearts nearly opened the scoring at the half-hour mark when Ampadu set up Issa. However, the forward’s effort flew wide, summing up a wasteful afternoon for the visitors.
The Phobians were forced into a substitution just before halftime as Martin Karikari made way for Mawuli Wayo. Wayo almost made an immediate impact on the stroke of halftime, latching onto a brilliant pass from Theophilus Collison, but he missed a golden opportunity with the goal at his mercy.
The second half began with more misfortune for Hearts. Hussein Mohammed picked up an injury nine minutes after the restart, paving the way for Kwesi Asmah to make his debut. Moments later, Asamoah Boateng Afriyie squandered another gilt-edged chance, firing wide when it seemed easier to score.
Holy Stars had a chance to snatch victory late on when Prince Opoku was brought down on the edge of the box. Opoku’s curling free-kick looked destined for the net, but Benjamin Asare produced a fingertip save to secure a point for Hearts.
The result leaves Hearts of Oak in fifth place with 30 points, now four points behind the league leaders. Holy Stars, meanwhile, remain six points clear of the relegation zone with 27 points but are winless in 2024, managing two draws and a defeat in their last three games.
Hearts will need to rediscover their scoring touch quickly if they are to remain in contention for the title, while Holy Stars will look to end their winless run in the coming fixtures.
