Accra, Aug. 26, GNA - Kpando Heart of Lions devoured premiership champions, Accra Hearts of Oak 2-1 to begin their Top Four campaign on a positive footing when they clashed in the competition's opener at the Ohene Djan Stadium, Accra on Wednesday.

Lions came from behind to defeat the Phobians who drew first blood through returnee Bernard Don Bortey on the sixth minute mark. Bortey connected a smooth cross from Douglas Nkrumah that came from the left flank to light up the 44,000 capacity arena that had only a handful of supporters dotted all over.

Lions who were the host however were to quickly react and they fetched the equalizer six minutes on through Kwaku Andoh who darted behind the Hearts backline to connect a low pass from a dead ball situation originated from a foul by the Phobian's Ebenezer Tetteh. With action reduced to the midfield at one goal apiece, both teams fought in vain for total dominance with scanty chances popping up occasionally.

While dominance remained balanced, Lions took a swift invasion into the Hearts area and in the process won a free kick near the corner post.

When the in-swing came into the area, the Hearts backline and goalkeeper Philemon McChartey staged a failed clearance which could only travel as far as Lions' Tanko Mohammed.

The player shot home to give Lions the lead and the match winner against protest by the Hearts players but the referee stuck to his guns and try as they did they could not find the equaliser till the final whistle. 26 Aug. 09