Zaytuna deepens Hearts' woes

Accra, March. 6, GNA- Newly promoted Zaytuna United, deepened the woes of defending champions Hearts of Oak by beating them 2-1 in their 13th Week Onetouch Premiership clash at the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium on Thursday.

Two second half strikes from George Ankamah and Christian Essel ensured Zaytuna clinched their third win of the campaign at the expense of an ordinary Hearts of Oak side, who failed to shine throughout the game.

It was the second time the defending league champions had lost a competitive game in two weeks having lost to RTU 0-2 earlier, which has seen Hearts sinking to the 15th position of the 16 club league. Zaytuna started the game on a bright note and took control of the midfield, but failed to capitalize on the numerous chances they had. Midfielder Daniel Larbi of Zaytuna led several raids into the Hearts half, but the attacking pair of Felix Baffoe and Ankamah made a mess of the opportunities.

The midfield of Hearts, which revolved around Michael Asante, Benjamin Boateng and Francis Bossman couldn't find antidotes to the attacking machinery of Zaytuna, resulting in their defence coming under persistent pressure. Both teams introduced fresh limbs in the second half, but it was Zaytuna's, Joseph Masiri, who came on for Baffoe, who changed the game as his deft touches created some difficult situations for the Hearts defence.

In one of such moves into the Hearts half in the 64th minute, Masiri intercepted a pass and found Larbi, who rounded off Hearts goalie Collins Addo before laying a perfect pass to Ankamah to connect home for the opener.

Zaytuna maintained their dominance and succeeded in doubling the lead twelve minutes later through substitute Essel, who capitalized on the ineptitude of the Hearts defence in the penalty area to deliver a thunderbolt, which zoomed into the roof of the net for the second goal. As the clock ticked by, Hearts grabbed a consolation through substitute Bernard Don Bortey, who converted a spot kick after Abanga was fouled by Shadrack Kyei in injury time. Seconds later, Hearts quest to draw level suffered a major blow, when central defender Ebenezer Tetteh was given the marching off orders for an off the ball tackle on Masiri in the full glare of Hohoe-based referee Patrick Aziza, who did not hesitate in showing him the red card. The win is the fist victory by Zaytuna over Hearts.