Heart of Lions force Hearts to a 2-2 draw

Accra, Jan. 15, GNA – Visiting Kpando Heart of Lions roared loud to force Accra Hearts of Oak to a 2-2 draw in the ultimate match of the first round of the season at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday.

Lions came from behind twice in the game to steal a point off their hosts, who were hoping to close the gap on bitterest rivals Kumasi Asante Kotoko at the top of the standings.

Lions burly forward, Gilbert Fiamenyo was the star attraction and he lived up to expectation as he terrorized the backline of Hearts of Oak throughout the duration of the entertaining game.

Fiamenyo was the architect of his side’s two goals scored in each half as his ball control and moves made him a tough customer for his markers.

Hearts were also unfortunate, especially in the second half as efforts by Douglas Nkrumah and Mahatma Otoo kissed the crossbar on two occasions as the game wore on.

The Phobians were up as early as the third minute through Nkrumah whose well-taken effort from a free-kick easily beat Lions goalkeeper Joseph Addo for the opener.

The goal was a testimony to the homers seemingly perfect start of the game, but Lions soon took over with Fiamenyo leading the onslaughts.

On 15 minutes, Fiamenyo raced into the Hearts defence, made the most of hard-tackler Philip Boampong before laying a pass to Benjamin Padi, who connected home from close range for the equalizer.

Lions held on and consistently compelled the Hearts defence to be on guard but wasted two clear chances in the dying stages of the first half.

Striker Daniel Bonsu fetched Fiamenyo, but the latter’s goal-bound effort was fisted away by Hearts goalie Sammy Adjei as he came to his side’s rescue.

Minutes later, Fiamenyo made a mess of the best chance of the game as his connection from Ofosu Amoah’s cross surprisingly went wide with the yawning net at his mercy.

Hearts resumed the second half strongly and went up four minutes from recess through Mahatma Otoo who connected home from a goalmouth action as he rushed into position to connect a neat cross from Bobby Ansah.

The lead did not last long as Lions drew parity on the hour mark through Emmanuel Anaafi, who finished off from close range. Fiamenyo began it all with an effort that was spilled by Hearts goalie Adjei as Anaafi connected the rebound from a mis-kick by Philip Agyare.

Whilst Lions were the more offensive side for the remainder of the game, it was Hearts who came close after efforts by Otoo and Nkrumah in the 80th and 87th kissed the crossbar to relieve of the visitors as they game coasted to an end.