All Blacks shock Hearts of Oak

Swedru Gamba All Blacks yesterday safeguarded their Premiership status when they stunned visiting Accra Hearts of Oak 2-1 in their penultimate Onetouch league game at the Swedru Park.

In a controversial atmosphere, it was Wa-based assistant referee A.M.T. Nurudin, who alerted referee S.B. Bortey about the winning goal after man-of-the match Obed Owusu struck a terrific shot which hit the roof of the post.

The decision raised a lot of eyebrows, especially in the stands of the Phobians, which generated heated arguments minutes after the game.

The home side opened the scores through Bismark Idan when he struck home from a goal-mouth struggle in the 19th minute.

Hearts’ Joseph Techie Mensah cancelled the lead 20 minutes after recess.

Tema Youth confirmed their place in the Premiership for next season after beating Gomoa Fetteh Feyenoord Academy 2-1, a result which leaves the Gomoa-based club walking on a tight rope.

Feyenoord, placed 13th on the table, are still uncertain of their chances of remaining in the elite league with just a game to end the season after Saturday’s defeat at the Robert Mensah Stadium in Cape Coast.

Edward Afful put Tema Youth in the lead when he scored the opener in the first-half but that lead was cancelled by Feyenoord’s Dominic Adiyah before recess.

Back from recess, both teams struggled to jump into the lead until 17 year-old Ekow Benson scored the winner which was his third goal of the season for the Premiership debutants, to entrench their place in the Premiership.

Hearts of Lions and Liberty Professionals shared the spoils in their goalless drawn game at the Kpando Park.

The result leaves the Lions at fourth place after going without a win in their last two games while Liberty Professionals lie 9th in a season during which they had been inconsistent with their performance.

Even though Liberty missed out of a place in continental football, Lions are primed for one of the two slots in the Confederation Cup if they manage a win in their last game.