All Blacks hold Hearts

Accra, April 16, GNA - Visiting Gamba All Blacks held Accra Hearts of Oak to a one all drawn game in their friendly encounter on Wednesday at the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium in Accra. The match was the second game in four days for the defending league champions after they recorded a similar result against Kpando Heart of Lions last Sunday at the same venue.

Parading a squad with Raphael Obeng as the newly registered player in the starting line up, Hearts took the lead in the second half through "comeback kid" Ishmael Addo four minutes into the second half before Obed Owusu drew equal for the 'Black Magicians' from Swedru after 72 minutes. Prior to the goal Hearts captain Bernard Don Bortey had his well curved free-kick hit the goal posts after the quarter-hour mark, while Ishmael Antwi of All Blacks blasted away a glorious opportunity of the first half six minutes from time after Hearts defender Ebenezer Tetteh had failed to clear his lines.

The defending champions who fielded an entirely different squad in the second half went ahead through Addo, who had to leave the game twenty minutes later after a late challenge on him. All Blacks who also made some changes to their team were gifted with the equalizer when Laud Quartey fumbled with what appeared a loose kick from Haruna Alhassan only for Owusu who was lurking around in front of goal to slot home for the equaliser.

Hearts suffered a numerical disadvantage after young striker Samuel Affum was given the marching off orders in the 71st for elbowing All Black's Rashid Avevor in the face. The Black Magicians came closest to grabbing the winner but seemed content with the result as they failed to capitalise on their chances but rather decided to please the fans with heir short man-to-man passes with the Phobians struggling to find their feet till proceedings was brought to an end by referee Charles Dowouna who performed averagely.