Umar Manaf scored a late penalty to ensure Hearts of Oak returned to winning ways as they recorded a 2-1 win over King Faisal Babes at the Nana Ohene Ameyaw Park in this match day six fixture.
The Phobians had tasted defeat against Aduana Stars in mid-week and had to respond strongly in this encounter against a struggling King Faisal side yet to record a win in the ongoing campaign.
Hearts of Oak were clearly the better side in the opening minutes of the match.
The Phobians made several incursions into the box of their opponents but their final delivery at the final third of the pitch was disappointing.
King Faisal after sitting on the fence for so long in the opening 13 minutes, found a breather and nearly went ahead through Wadudu Yabuku.
Wadudu’s instinctive goal was ruled out for a handball after Robert Addo’s poor clearance hit his hand before the ball fell at his feet.
Hearts of Oak recaptured hold of the game and had a chance to break the deadlock but Michelle Sarpong’s free-kick went just wide.
The visitors finally got their deserved lead after Benjamin Afutu eluded his marker to tap home from close range after King Faisal failed to deal with Michelle Sarpong’s lofty cross.
Hearts of Oak continued to probe for the insurance goal but Mohammed Alhassan was poor with his header despite being unmarked in the box.
Wadudu meanwhile continued to be a thorn in the flesh of the Phobians. The powerful forward again tested Richmond Ayi with a long range strike.
Kosta Papic’s men looked dangerous on the flanks as King Faisal struggled to deal with the long crosses Umar Manaf and Raddy Ovouka were putting in the box.
Hearts of Oak went to sleep early on in the second stanza just like they did in the 2-0 defeat against Aduana Stars in midweek as King Faisal drew level.
Wadudu sent in a superb cross for Kwadwo Frimpong to nod home the equalizer in the 50th minute.
Kign Faisal took hold of the game there on, creating several chances to go ahead but failed to apply the finishing touch.
Dominic Eshun, who came in for Michelle Sarpong in the 68th minute, had a wonderful opportunity to put Hearts in the driving seat after he was perfectly set up with only goalkeeper Yuisu Kaisan to beat but he delayed as ya the keeper closed the angle, forcing him to miss the chance.
Hearts of Oak were fortunate after referee Philip Attah Forson adjudged Pius Baffour Awuah to handled the ball with on a minute to the end of regulation time.
Umar Manaf stepped up to score from the resultant penalty to give the visitors a 2-1 victory.
Hearts of Oak climb to 5th on the table with 8 points from 6 matches while King Faisal remain 16th with 4 points.
