Masterful Hearts of Oak demolish Medeama to move closer to historic double
A step closer to securing league and cup double, who can stop the Phobians?
Accra Hearts of Oak are a step closer to securing a historic double after a masterful demolishing of Medeama SC at Cape Coast.
Three goals from the Phobians were enough to see off the Mauve and Yellow and set up a sumptuous epic final against fellow multiple winners Ashanti Gold SC. The hopes of Medeama to revenge the painful 2 – 0 loss to their former boss evaporated as it became their pain.
The Phobians broke the duck in the 12tm minute when Benjamin Afutu beautifully headed in Isaac Mensah’s cross to set the tone for the astonishing win. Frank Boateng then denied Fatawu Mohammed who had but a tap in to increase the Rainbow club’s tally three minutes later.
Tetteh Zuttah tested Richard Attah in post for Hearts with a shot which was the goalkeeper’s real call to action since the start of the game. Attah made another brilliant save from a Medeama’s corner a minute after the half-hour mark to keep the Phobians lead intact. The first half ended with Hearts of Oak still clinging onto their slim 1 – 0 lead.
Straight from the break, Medeama mounted pressure on Hearts in the Phobians area but a resolute defence kept them at bay as they searched for the equalizer. However, a goalkeeping blunder from Frank Boateng gave Isaac Mensah the chance to register his name on the score sheet as Hearts went up 2 – 0 with two minutes to the hour mark.
Daniel Afriyie got into Medeama’s box and was brought down prompting the referee to call for a penalty for the league champions. The youngster picked himself up and swept the ball into the net beyond Frank Boateng’s reach to take the spirit of the game out of the Mauve and Yellow.
Samuel Boadu’s side held onto their three-goal lead as Medeama chased the skeletons of the game in what was an assured win for the league champions. Hearts are now set to face Ashanti Gold who beat Berekum Chelsea earlier in the first semi-final match to set up a final date.
Medeama will still represent Ghana in the CAF Confederation Cup next season regardless of who emerges winner in the final. They are one of only three Ghanaian sides to have their application to play in CAF competitions next season including Hearts and Kotoko. But with the Phobians playing in the Champions League and Kotoko exiting the cup competition in the quarter-finals, Medeama will have a presence in Africa.
By: Clifford Adumbire | myactiveonline.com
