Soccer-Heart pip Villa 3-0 to brighten their chances

Accra (Greater Accra), 3rd May 99 ?

Accra Hearts of Oak on Sunday brightened their chances of moving into the next stage of this year's Champions' League competition, when they beat S. C. Villa of Uganda 3-0 in their first leg one-eighth match at the Accra sports Stadium.

Hearts in an unusual pink shirt and shorts attacked from the blast of the whistle of Nigerian FIFA referee, Joro Yabilsu and wasted four successive corner kicks.

In the 13th minute, the ''Phobia Boys'' had a chance of shooting ahead but their new found "goldenboy" Ishmael Addo, wasted a spot kick after Joe Fameyeh's pass hit the hand of defender Sserwadda Deo in the penalty area.

Within a spate of three minutes the young boy whose inexperience had a telling effect on him wasted a begging chance which could have unsettled the visitors.

In the 23rd minute, however he laid on a perfect pass for Fameyeh to shot into the right far corner of the net for the opener.

Galvanised by that goal, Hearts threw everything into the game but in some few cases, were caught off guard by the visitors with fast counter attacks.

Just as the Ugandans were gaining some ground, Hearts increased the tally in the 37th minute through a freekick taken by Osei Kuffour.

Hearts brought on Robert Saba for injured Emmanuel Adjogu in the 47th minute to add more bite to the attack.

The Ugandans conceded their third and final goal in the 53rd minute when Skipper Jacob Nettey raced with the ball from his own half of the field then cut into the defence of the visitors before releasing a thundering shot whose impact sent goalkeeper Elengesa Ramazan, crashing into his net as he tried to save it.

The visitors tried hard to redeem at a least a goal but to no avail.

Line up (Hearts): James Nanor, Amankwah Mireku, Jacob Nettey, Justice Ampah, Sani Wahab, Osei Kuffour, Kennth Sarpong/Osumanu Amadu, Ben Acquaah, Ishmael Addo, Joe Fameyeh, Emmnauel Adjogu/Robert Saba. Villa:Ellengesa Ramazan, Sserwadda Deo, Batambuze Idd, Byastima Arthur, Watson Edgar, Mutyaba Joseph, Mubiru Andrew, Bigawa Aggrey, Mubiru Dani, Maluduara Juma, Ssozi Philip.