Awako and Isaac Mensah hand Slavko Matic a perfect start as Hearts secure a first league win
Gladson Awako and Isaac Mensah ensured Slavko Matic started his Hearts of Oak reign with a win as the former African champions beat Bibiani Gold Stars 2-1 on match day four.
Following the league’s return after the Accra High Court decision that dismissed Ashantigold SC’s injunction application against the GFA, the league was cleared to be resumed and Hearts of Oak welcomed Gold Stars to the Accra Sports Stadium for the match day four fixture. It was Serbian trainer Slavko Matic’s first official game in charge of the Phobians and Gladson Awako and Isaac Mensah were at hand to provide a perfect welcome to the Serbian.
Hearts of Oak fell behind to a Prince Owusu first-half goal which came just nine minutes into the match and it seemed it was going to be a long day for the reigning FA cup champions until Mvouo and Awako decided to try something else.
Isaac Mensah levelled the score line with 78 minutes already gone on the clock and as the game headed for the draw with just two minutes of regulation time left to play, Awako stepped in with the winner that saved the Phobians from losing points for the fourth time this season. The win means Hearts of Oak have now secured their first win in the league this season after settling for two draws and an opening-day defeat to Aduana to start the season.
Slavko Matic will next lead his men against the newly promoted Kotoku Royals for the week five encounter with the hope of building on the win against Bibiani Gold Stars. Meanwhile, the win took Hearts temporarily to ninth on the table, just above Kotoko who are a point less with two games in hand.
Joseph Baah was sent off for Bibiani Gold Stars in the 62nd minute while youngster Gideon Asante Yeboah was adjudged the Most Valuable Player of the match.
