Obuasi, Aug. 28, GNA -- A 57th minute long volley from Blaise Lelo Mbele gave Orlando Pirates a neat 1-0 victory over Accra Hearts of Oak in their MTN/CAF Champions League match at the Obuasi Len Clay Stadium. The South Africans deserved the win as they sold an exciting soccer throughout the 90 minutes of the game.
The lone goal also gave the South Africans their first win in the four-match old competition as they drew in their last three matches. The defeat of Hearts is a painful one as they continue to be at the bottom of Group 91B' with only a point after losing to Enyimba at home and Asec Memosas in Abidjan and drawing goalless with the South Africans last two weeks.
Hearts defeat and that of Asante Kotoko's humiliating 4-0 loss in Egypt on Saturday have given much worry to many Ghanaian soccer fans as to the chances of Ghanaian clubs in the ongoing continental club championships.
It was Hearts who showed early signals for recording an early goal when they won a corner kick in the second minute after goalkeeper Francis Chansa was tested by Eric Gawu. The visitors quickly countered and nearly scored the opener as they kept the goal area of Hearts boiling with threatening shots. In one of the situations, Edward Malinsa nearly broke the hearts of the Phobians with a classical header that missed the posts by inches. Hearts, having succeeded in soaking the pressure from the onslaught of the Pirates earned a corner but Dan Quaye's drive flashed past the goal posts.The visitors' who were tactically superior, kept their tempo and gave Hearts a hell of time forcing their defence, marshalled around Michael Donkor, Charles Vardis and Dan Coleman to do overtime. The South Africans replaced injured Malinsa in the 24th minute with Tyren Arendse but it was Hearts who came into the game in the 26th minute and forced hard pressed Keleboyile Mabe to head the ball to corner.
The Phobians forced two corner kicks by the 31st minute but all were wasted.
In the 34th minute, Eric Gawu sent pain through the nerves of the fans as he threw away a glorious chance. It was hard working Joe Louis who sent a clinical pass deep into the visitors vital area and with Gawu in position, the striker fumbled with the ball much to the disbelieve of the vociferous supporters. After a barren first half, Hearts came into the second half more refreshed and won a first minute corner kick, which was also wasted. In the 54th minute, Mbele nearly caused another confusion in the Hearts goal area but his shot was saved by Saani Mohammed. In the 57th minute the defence of Hearts however caved in allowing speedster Mbele to beat onrushing Saani for the only goal of the match. Orlando Pirates from the 70th minute decided to relax from their sweet flowing game and adapt defensive tactics that gave more room for Hearts to redeem their sinking image but tried as they did the Phobians could not cancel the visitors lead.
Line up (Hearts): Saani Mohammed, Amankwa Mireku, Dan Quaye, Michael Donkor, Charles Vardis, Daniel Coleman, Anthony Annan, Stanley Afedzi/Joe Tagoe, Moses Andoh, Eric Gawu, Joe Louis/Mohammed Bawa.
Obuasi, Aug. 28, GNA -- A 57th minute long volley from Blaise Lelo Mbele gave Orlando Pirates a neat 1-0 victory over Accra Hearts of Oak in their MTN/CAF Champions League match at the Obuasi Len Clay Stadium. The South Africans deserved the win as they sold an exciting soccer throughout the 90 minutes of the game.
The lone goal also gave the South Africans their first win in the four-match old competition as they drew in their last three matches. The defeat of Hearts is a painful one as they continue to be at the bottom of Group 91B' with only a point after losing to Enyimba at home and Asec Memosas in Abidjan and drawing goalless with the South Africans last two weeks.
Hearts defeat and that of Asante Kotoko's humiliating 4-0 loss in Egypt on Saturday have given much worry to many Ghanaian soccer fans as to the chances of Ghanaian clubs in the ongoing continental club championships.
It was Hearts who showed early signals for recording an early goal when they won a corner kick in the second minute after goalkeeper Francis Chansa was tested by Eric Gawu. The visitors quickly countered and nearly scored the opener as they kept the goal area of Hearts boiling with threatening shots. In one of the situations, Edward Malinsa nearly broke the hearts of the Phobians with a classical header that missed the posts by inches. Hearts, having succeeded in soaking the pressure from the onslaught of the Pirates earned a corner but Dan Quaye's drive flashed past the goal posts.The visitors' who were tactically superior, kept their tempo and gave Hearts a hell of time forcing their defence, marshalled around Michael Donkor, Charles Vardis and Dan Coleman to do overtime. The South Africans replaced injured Malinsa in the 24th minute with Tyren Arendse but it was Hearts who came into the game in the 26th minute and forced hard pressed Keleboyile Mabe to head the ball to corner.
The Phobians forced two corner kicks by the 31st minute but all were wasted.
In the 34th minute, Eric Gawu sent pain through the nerves of the fans as he threw away a glorious chance. It was hard working Joe Louis who sent a clinical pass deep into the visitors vital area and with Gawu in position, the striker fumbled with the ball much to the disbelieve of the vociferous supporters. After a barren first half, Hearts came into the second half more refreshed and won a first minute corner kick, which was also wasted. In the 54th minute, Mbele nearly caused another confusion in the Hearts goal area but his shot was saved by Saani Mohammed. In the 57th minute the defence of Hearts however caved in allowing speedster Mbele to beat onrushing Saani for the only goal of the match. Orlando Pirates from the 70th minute decided to relax from their sweet flowing game and adapt defensive tactics that gave more room for Hearts to redeem their sinking image but tried as they did the Phobians could not cancel the visitors lead.
Line up (Hearts): Saani Mohammed, Amankwa Mireku, Dan Quaye, Michael Donkor, Charles Vardis, Daniel Coleman, Anthony Annan, Stanley Afedzi/Joe Tagoe, Moses Andoh, Eric Gawu, Joe Louis/Mohammed Bawa.
