Hearts lifts Knockout trophy

Obuasi, May 28, GNA 96 Accra Hearts of Oak on Sunday silenced their bitter rivals, Kumasi Asante Kotoko with a lone goal victory of the grand finale to lift the Onetouch sponsored special Knockout competition at the Obuasi Len Clay Sports Stadium.

The victory was made certain through Hearts enigmatic Eric Gawu's 66th minute strike that gave the Phobians their second trophy within two weeks this year.

Hearts apparently deserved the win as they outplayed the "Porcupine Warriors", especially in the midfield where Kotoko's Michael Asante and Kwabena Dodzie failed to click.

The Phobians sent early signals of carrying the day by quickly going into action when in the third minute, Skipper Amankwa Mireku tested Eric Nii Baah in goal for Kotoko with a powerful grounder.

Kotoko accepted the challenge but wasted three corner kicks by the 12th minute mark, however in the 20th minute, Ahmed Toure nearly put the Fabulous lads ahead but good anticipating by goalkeeper Laud Quartey in posts for Hearts saved the tricky situation.

As the game progressed, the two teams became physical, thus forcing referee K. Gyasi of Nsawam to caution Hearts Stephen Offei and Kotoko's Dodzie and Murtala Mohammed with yellow cards in the first half.

When the second half resumed, it was Hearts who were more aggressive and purposeful in search of victory but missed two quick corner kicks in the 47 and 48th minutes.

Hearts substituted Alfred Nii Larbi with Moses Andoh whilst Kotoko also replaced Mark Adu Amofa with Nasiru Ghani.

As the game progressed, the rains set in diminishing the beauty of the game and Hearts at this stage took advantage of the situation to silence the vociferous and teeming supporters of the 'Porcupine Warriors' with Gawu's clinical finish.

Hearts had earlier messed up two free-kicks just outside the 18 yard box of Kotoko but made amends with the third effort when Gawu headed home an Amankwa Mireku's well taken free-kick that turned out to be the match winner.

Phobia in the last two years have defeated Kotoko on three occasions to lift a trophy as against one in the presidential cup Kotoko overcome the Accra boys at their own grounds. The recent memory being the Ghalca top4.

Kotoko: Eric Nii Baah Kenneth Ababio Godfred Yaboah Murtala Mohammed William Thompson Michael Asante George Yamoah Kobina Dodzie Ahmed Toure Edmond Owusu Ansah Mark Adu Amofah

Hearts: Laud Quartey Amankwaa Mireku S. Offei K. Boafo Charles Vardis Anthony Annan Stanley Afadzi Joe Louis Nii Larbi/Moses Andoh Gawu Gatete Reuben Senyo