Black Stars pip Hearts

The national soccer team, the Black Stars on Friday passed their first test when the beat Accra Hearts of Oak 2-1 in a friendly game played at the Accra Sports Stadium.

The Stars, playing their first game under newly signed on trainer, Marriano Barreto scored both goals in the first half through Lawrence Adjei who was a handful for the Phobian defence made up of Daniel Coleman, Kwabena Boafo and Louis Agyemang who had a great day. It was one game both teams had their share of dominance with the victors having the better part of the first half while Hearts after the break to took their turn in the second half given both Ernest Middendorp and Barreto coaches of the two sides a fair idea about the strength of their teams.

Hearts played an improved second half game and scored their goal through Prince Tagoe in the 76 minutes to keep the hope of the Phobians of raising a formidable team under the new coach before the commencement of this years CAF club champions league on course.

Adjei leading the Stars' attack with his Phobian team mate Ablade Morgan and supported by Eric Gawu gave the Hearts defence enough to to worry about in the first half.

During one of the numerous moves upfront by the Stars' attackers, Gawu laid a neat pass to unmarked Adjei who was a thorn on the opponents' defence to tear them into shreds for the latter to fire a fierce shot into the far post with helpless Sammy Adjei flatfooted in the 40th minutes.

Adjei consolidated the lead on the half mark after the Stars' invaded the Phobain's vital area with a low grounder to end the half. The pendulum tilted in favour of Hearts after the recess when the Middendorp-led bench introduced Frank Kornu into the game to assist leaking Adjah Tetteh.

The midfielder shuffled well and combined effectively with Eric Nyakor and Agyemang and through one of a sustained onslaught that Tegoe who wasted series of chances capitalized on a defensive blunder to register the consolation goal for the CAF campaigners.