Confederations Cup: Hearts of Oak 2

Accra Hearts of Oak’s misery in the ongoing Ghana Premier League did not affect their performance in Africa with the Rainbow club finding two goals against Algerian side Jeunesse Sportive de la Saoura in Accra.

A goal in each half for the Phobians was enough to secure a first-leg advantage for the Phobians in front of their home supporters.

Having missed a couple of big opportunities in the opening quarter of an hour, Hearts of Oak made clean work one such decent chance when Salifu Ibrahim headed them in front with just 16 minutes played. That one-nil lead lasted the entire duration of the first 45 minutes as neither side could produce another goal despite the Phobians still creating more decent chances.

That changed in the 72nd minute when Agyenim Boateng netted his own to make it 2-0 for the Ghana Premier League champions. A few minutes later, JS Saoura’s goalkeeper, Zakari Said was sent off for a second bookable offence, reducing the Algerians to 10 but Hearts of Oak could not utilize it o increase their advantage as the game ended 2-0 in favour of the Ghanaians.

The return leg will be in a fortnight in Algeria with the aggregate winner advancing to the next stage of CAF’s second-tier competition.

By: Clifford Adumbire | myactiveonline.com