Accra Hearts of Oak fought to a goalless drawn game against defending champions FC Samartex 1996 in Samraboi to pick vital point away back to Accra.
That was the first time in the league Hearts of Oak have picked a point at the Nsenkyire Sports Arena as the two previous visits have all been defeats for the Phobians—(3-2 defeat in May, 2023 and 2-1 defeat in March 2024)
Samartex dominated large part of the game and created better scoring chances but failed to climax their efforts by putting the ball at the back of the net, thanks to their wastefulness upfront and Hearts of Oak’s strong defense.
It was Christopher Ennin’s debut game in charge as Samartex manager and despite not winning he would be satisfied with his team display today.
What did the managers say?
“We created more chances against Hearts of Oak today. We were more on attack but unfortunately it’s football that’s how it’s”, Christopher Enni told reporters after the game.
It’s draw lose or win so since being my first game we will go the “blackboard” to bounce back as early as possible”, he said.
“I appreciate my boys, they worked according to plan unfortunately we couldn’t get the goal. Don’t forget we still have a return game in Accra so anything can happen” he concluded.
Hearts of Oak were again the second best on the day with inability to control and swing passes together were glaring. Ouattara’s charges found it difficult to connect strikers from the midfield.
For most part of the game, creativity was non-existent for the Phobians as they lost possession for far too many, thanks Samartex’s off the ball press.
Remarkably, the virtually all set pieces to Hearts’ advantage were poorly executed ringing bells of training methods by the Ivorian tactician.
”We wanted to win today but unfortunately we didn’t create more chances. We create one or two but we didn’t play well so we didn’t score“, Ouattara, Hearts of Oak head coach after the game.
Much hyped new signing Seth Osei could not make the match day squad for allegedly failing to pass match fitness.
Despite their poor outing on Sunday, Hearts of Oak become the fifth team to pick at least a point from the Nsenkyire Sports Arena in Samraboi. Nations FC, Heart of Lions, Young Apostles and Bibiani Gold Stars have all picked points this season at Samartex’s.
The draw leaves Hearts at 5th position with 29 points—4 points shy of leaders Bibiani Gold Stars.
Hearts of Oak will stage a revenge at the Legon Stadium against Ghana Premier League newcomers, Basake Holy Stars who handed the Phobians’ their first defeat of the season (1-0) on Sunday.
