Champions Accra Hearts of Oak were held by Real Tamale United in a scoreless draw on Match Day 17 of the Ghana Premier League at the Tamale Sports Stadium.
The Phobians who have a game in hand were hoping to bounce back from their 1-0 loss to Great Olympics having dropped to the 7th spot in the course of the week. Hearts were reduced to 10-men in the 82nd minute after Caleb Amankwah was sent off following a second yellow card.
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Coach Samuel Boadu gave a starting berth to Sulley Muntari, Dennis Korsah and Isaac Mensah in anticipation of a win to calm nerves ahead of the Super clash against rivals Asante Kotoko on Sunday. But the changes failed to produce the result as the game ended goalless.
Sulley Muntari’s corner kick in the early stage of the game was adequately handled by RTU goalkeeper Yaw Osei as Hearts of Oak knocked off to an explosive start.
Isaac Mensah had a brilliant chance to give his team the lead in the 12th minute but the forward missed the effort. Mensah was again put through by Daniel Barnieh but the speedster missed by a whisker in the 37th minute.
Back from the break both teams struggled to create decent chances with Real Tamale United sitting back and playing from deep while Hearts committed men forward.
Salim Adams came up with a trademark effort from the distance but his effort missed the post by inches in the 65th minute. Gladson Awako sent a delicious corner kick to Dennis Korsah on the edge of the box but the former Ebusua Dwarfs man shot wide.
With the game heading to a close, Caleb Amankwah was sent off after going in with a two-footed tackle on Ronald Frimpong in the 83rd minute.
Frederick Ansah Botchwey and Kofi Kordzie were introduced to add some attacking bite to the Hearts of Oak front line but that came to nought as the referee blew his whistle to ends the game.
Earlier on Saturday, Asante Kotoko returned to winning ways as they beat Accra Lions 3-1 at the Baba Yara Stadium on Saturday.
Franck Etouga Mbella opened the scoring for the leaders with a superb left footed goal from inside the box in the 4th minute mark as the Porcupine Warriors got off to a great start.
The Cameroonian added the second goal from the spot in the 45th minute. Kelvin Kyei reduced the deficit seconds before the half time whistle. Back from recess, the contest was closely contested until Etouga Mbella increased the tally in the 81st minute to complete the job – a hat trick well deserved.
Daniel Adjetey scored in the 90th minute to give Accra Great Olympics a 1-0 win over Elmina Sharks at the Accra Sports stadium. The game was heading to a draw until the lanky enforcer prodded home from close range.
Mathew Kelvin Andoh dealt WAFA a huge blow in Sogakope as he scored in the 81st minute to give Karela United a 1-0 win against WAFA – bringing to an end an 8 match unbeaten run in the League. The Academy boys had not lost in the competition since December 26 when they fell to Asante Kotoko in Kumasi.
Aduana FC scored three first half goals to beat Eleven Wonders 3-0 at the Agyemang Badu Park on Sunday. Bright Adjei scored a hat trick in the first 30 minutes as the two time champions cruised to their 8th win of the season. The diminutive attacker scored in the 10th, 20th and 23rd minutes of the game as Aduana FC moved to the 4th spot with 27 points.
In Obuasi – Bibiani Gold Stars missed a penalty in the first half but battled to a 2-2 draw against AshantiGold SC at the Len Clay stadium.
Steven Owusu Kaakyire missed from the spot on the half hour mark before Yaw Annor shot the Miners into the lead in the 34th minute after connecting a rebound after his spot kick was saved by goalkeeper Ernest Kussi.
Bibiani Gold Stars drew level seven minutes after recess with Emmanuel Appau scoring from close range. AshantiGold restored their advantage in the 67th minute through Frank Akoto who headed home a cross from the right. But that goal wasn’t enough to win the day as Prince Opoku Agyemang scored on his debut to snatch a late equalizer for the Bibiani lads.
The match between Medeama SC and Dreams FC was called off due to heavy downpour at the Akoon Park. The fixture has been rescheduled for Monday at 10am.
Meanwhile Legon Cities will take on King Faisal at the El Wak Stadium on Monday.