Coach Aboubar Ouattara felt dissatisfied on Sunday afternoon at the Accra Sports Stadium after the much-anticipated SuperClash between Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko ended in a gritty 0-0 draw—the only goalless drawn game of Ghana Premier League Matchday 30.
The Phobia coach who has come under criticism all season long failed to score yet again expressed worry for not only picking a win against Asante Kotoko but also extending his winless run to four in his last four premier league games scoring just one and drawing three.
“We are all disappointed with the results but we will take it like that, it’s not bad” -Aboubakar Ouattara, Hearts of Oak head coach
The clash, the fourth between these fierce rivals since December 2023, saw Kotoko maintain their recent dominance, having won all three prior encounters.
Yet, this time, neither side could break the deadlock in a match that promised fireworks but delivered more perspiration than inspiration.
The game was a tactical chess match, with both teams struggling to ignite their attacking spark. Asante Kotoko, the visitors, carved out a handful of half-chances, but their efforts lacked the venom to trouble Hearts of Oak’s defense.
Leading the Phobians’ rearguard was Black Stars goalkeeper Benjamin Asare, who was a towering presence between the posts. Asare’s sharp reflexes and commanding presence snuffed out Kotoko’s rare forays forward, earning him full marks and the plaudits of the handful home faithful.
Despite the lack of goals, the match wasn’t without its subplots. Kotoko’s interim coach, Karim Zito, extended his remarkable unbeaten streak against Hearts of Oak to eight matches across various clubs.
Zito’s tactical acumen kept the Rainbow Boys at bay, though he’ll rue his side’s inability to convert possession into clear-cut opportunities.
For Hearts of Oak, the draw offered a glimmer of resilience after their recent struggles against their arch-rivals, but their blunt attack underscored a need for sharper finishing as the season nears its climax.
The result leaves Asante Kotoko in fourth place, three points behind league leaders Nations FC, with the race for the title still tantalizingly close. Hearts of Oak, meanwhile, remain in 6th, their season teetering between promise and frustration.
Hearts of Oak will play Berekum Chelsea next at the Golden City Park.
