Mawuli Wayo converted a second half penalty to give Hearts of Oak a narrow win against Kpando Heart of Lions at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium on Friday night on match day nineteen of the Ghana Premier League.
The Phobians had gone 180 minutes of football without even scoring a goal let alone thinking of a victory in the premier League.
They had drawn 0-0 against reigning champions FC Samartex 1996 and Holy Stars after picking three straight wins prior.
Tonight’s victory—the fifth home win this season, means Ouattara’s men have lackadaisically revenged Lions who handed them their second consecutive defeat to the start of the current campaign, thanks to two late goals from Nana Kwame Oppong and Addo.
In what looked a new normal of sparring form of play, the Phobians saw referee Daniel Laryea award them a penalty after Stephen Appiah Asare was brought down in box following a solo dribbling efforts just two minutes after recess.
Mawuli Wayo stepped up and sent goalkeeper Osei the wrong way to increase his goal tally this season to five as the club’s topscorer of the season followed by Hamza Issah who last scored in December in Hearts’ 3-1 win against Berekum Chelsea with four goals.
New signings Seth Osei was given a debut start whereas Kwesi Asmah and Abdul Azziz Adam debuted as second half substitutes in the victorious game in front of the home fans.
Hearts are momentarily occupying the fourth place following the win tonight having played a game more.
Despite the loss, Lions were rather applauded for the dominance in terms of possession and link-up play against their host.
This is their third defeat in four games 2025 and in January alone marking a major setback to their title chase. Nonetheless, they lie second to Asante Kotoko who have 34 points—a point more.
Hearts of Oak finished January unbeaten winning two games and drawing same number in a total of four games, netting two times in separate games but remarkably keeping clean sheets in all.
Ouattara side will next week, travel to face Bechem United at the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park – a venue that decided Hearts of Oak’s fate on last day last season where Hearts from going down twice in that game completed a controversial comeback to win Bechem 3-2 to escape relegation.
This will be the reverse fixture this season with Hearts having psychological edge over Bechem after beating them 2-0 last September.
It’s important to note that Bechem United leads the chat as the team with the most wins at home this season having won seven games from nine with zero defeats.
