In a thrilling Matchday 17 encounter in the Ghana Premier League at the TNA Stadium, former Hearts of Oak midfielder Salim Adams delivered a poignant blow to his old club by scoring the solitary goal that secured a 1-0 victory for Medeama SC.
The win allowed the Mauve and Yellows to maintain their stronghold at the summit of the league table, having dominated much of the season so far.
Adams, who once proudly wore the iconic rainbow jersey of the Phobians, openly acknowledged that facing his former employers added an extra layer of motivation leading into the Sunday fixture.
Nevertheless, he emphasized that his belief in the outcome stemmed primarily from the collective quality and resilience of his current teammates at Medeama.
The breakthrough arrived in the 74th minute when Adams capitalized on a well-executed move, finishing clinically from close range after a precise cut-back from teammate Richard Appiah, who had made a dynamic run down the right flank.
This decisive strike earned Medeama all three points in a hard-fought contest, despite Hearts of Oak’s determined resistance, bolstered by several key saves from their goalkeeper.
This goal represented Adams’ second of the season for Medeama across 14 appearances, coming after his first, which had helped seal a home victory over Berekum Chelsea on Matchday 13. His influential performance against his previous team was duly recognized as he was named Man of the Match.
The result strengthened Medeama SC’s position atop the standings with 34 points at the conclusion of the first round, built on an impressive record of nine wins, seven draws, and just one loss, during which they scored 22 goals while conceding only 10 under the guidance of head coach Ibrahim Tanko.
In contrast, the loss proved costly for Accra Hearts of Oak, leaving them in fifth place with 28 points, compiled from seven victories, seven draws, and three defeats in their campaign managed by head coach Mas-Ud Didi Dramani.
Looking ahead, Hearts of Oak are set to hit the road for their Matchday 18 clash against Hohoe United at the Hohoe Sports Stadium on January 11, while Medeama SC will return to the TNA Stadium to welcome Young Apostles on the same day.