Heart of Lions qualify for premiership

Kpando Heart of Lions qualified for next year's premier league in grand style when they trashed Yeji Stars 5-1 in their last middle league match played at the Accra sports Stadium on Saturday.

The match, which kicked off half an hour behind schedule after the Yeji lads reported late saw Lions who needed to win at all cost dominating right from the start.

Lions' early pressure nearly yielded benefits but Eric Atikpe blew away two chances in the 12th and 13th minutes with wide shots.

Against the run of play Yeji's Hamidu Dramani who troubled the Kpando lads through out the match created an opening in the Lions vital area but a timely intervention by Yusif Issah blocked his shot to touch.

Yeji Stars then capitulated under Lions intense pressure as they let in two quick goals in the 17th and 18th minutes from Samuel Yaboah's header and a low drive by Atikpe to atone for his earlier miss.

Lions who came into the match on top of the League Table on superior goal difference but with the same point with three other teams poured forward in droves to score more goals, which they had in the 22nd minute through their Togolese import, Lawson Nibueke who curled in a shot from the edge of the box.

The game after the third goal turned into a one sided match as Yeji found it difficult getting away from their own area. On the stroke of half time, Lions other Togolese import Koblah Amewu made it four when he caught Jomoro Akwasi unawares with a snap shot from deep inside the midfield.

The second half was more balanced as Lions decided to rest on their oars having done the work in the first half. Yeji pushed forward in a bid to reduce the tally and were awarded a penalty in the 50th minute when Abass Caesar in post for Lions brought down Kwame Sarfo in the box for Dramani to convert.

Yeji goal brought Lions into the game as they scored their fifth goal in the 55th minute through Amewu curling free kick.