Abban brace sinks 10-man Hearts

Accra, Dec. 4, GNA – A second half brace from striker James Abban powered Liberty Professionals to a 2-0 win over city rivals Accra Hearts of Oak in their 10th Week Premier League match at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday.

Abban scored the opener on 64 minutes before sealing victory two minutes from time to give his side their fifth win of the 10-week old football season.

Hearts appeared out-of-sort throughout the game with their plight further worsened by the sending-off of left-back Owusu Sefa just before half time.

Sefah was given a straight red card by referee Charles Dowuona for a two foot-up challenge on Liberty's midfielder Kennedy Ashia in the full glare of the referee and all.

Prior to the incident, the back line of Hearts suffered a serious depletion before the half-hour mark after burly defender Godwin Osei Bonsu was pulled out for Philip Boampong due to a hard tackle by a defence man of Liberty due to a serious injury.

The best moment for Hearts came in the opening minutes and by the 10th minute, Attakora Gyimah and Mahatma Otoo forced the Liberty goalie, Daniel Agyei to respond with spectacular saves.

Liberty capitalized on their numerical advantage and took a deserving lead through Abban who connected from close range after an Ashia cross from the right flank.

Hearts struggled from then to control the onslaught of their rivals and it came as no surprise when the defence of Hearts openly conceded defeat two minutes from time with Abban sealing victory with a simple tap in after Michael Helegbe’s effort from a corner kick slipped through a rebound from the hands of Hearts goalie Sammy Adjei for Abban to easily to convert to silence the Hearts fans.