Hearts of Oak were once again left frustrated in front of goal after being held to a 0-0 draw by Aduana FC in their Ghana Premier League Matchday 32 clash at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday.
The result marked the Phobians’ 13th goalless draw of the season and their 15th stalemate overall in the campaign. Ten of those draws have come at home, with eight ending without a goal.
Hearts’ inability to convert chances has remained a major problem throughout the season and has significantly affected their pursuit of a 22nd Ghana Premier League title.
Head coach of the Mas-Ud Didi Dramani echoed this challenge after the game but he attributed the goal scoring problems to indecisions among his players.
“Out challenge is still decision making. I have said it from day one that we need to improve our decision making especially in front of the opposition goal.”
Mas-Ud Didi Dramani
The coach also added that they need to “improve” and be “humble” to admit their challenges so that they can learn from them and “continue to grow.”
Despite showing defensive discipline for much of the campaign, the Phobians have struggled to produce goals consistently. After 32 matches, Hearts have managed just 21 goals, averaging less than one goal per game.
While they boast the league’s strongest defensive record with only 12 goals conceded, their attacking shortcomings have overshadowed that achievement. The Phobians have also recorded 24 clean sheets this season, underlining their solidity at the back.
However, their lack of cutting edge in the final third has prevented them from turning defensive stability into a sustained title challenge.
Medeama SC’s 1-0 victory over Basake Holy Stars has now mathematically ended Hearts of Oak’s hopes of winning the league title this season. The Tarkwa-based side have opened an eight-point gap over Hearts, who sit in third place with only two matches remaining.
The title race is now expected to be fought between Medeama SC and Bibiani GoldStars, with only two points separating the two clubs heading into the closing stages of the campaign.
Asante Kotoko Beat Wonders
In Kumasi, Asante Kotoko returned to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over Eleven Wonders at the Baba Yara Stadium.
Goals from youngsters Lawson Kyei and Anthony Duah, the later on his senior debut, in either half secured all three points for the Porcupine Warriors, who had gone four matches without a victory before Sunday’s contest.
The result also ended a three-game losing streak for Kotoko and handed interim head coach Hamza Obeng his first win since taking charge of the club.
Kotoko had endured a difficult run in recent weeks, managing only two wins in their previous nine league outings before the clash against Eleven Wonders who have already been relegated.
Their last victory before today came in March when they defeated Nations FC 3-0. The win provides a timely boost for the Kumasi giants as they seek to finish the season strongly after falling behind in the title race.
Results From Other League Centers
Elsewhere across the other league centres, Vision FC recorded an emphatic 3-0 victory over Karela United to continue their push to retain their Premier League status, while Heart of Lions cruised to a 3-0 win at home against FC Samartex.
Swedru All Blacks and Bechem United shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw in Swedru. Medeama SC narrowly edged past beat Basake Holy Stars 1-0 away from home to maintain top spot. In Wenchi, Young Apostles secured a 1-0 win over Nations FC while Berekum Chelsea similarly defeated Dreams FC 1-0.
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