CAF CC: ACCRA HEARTS OF OAK TAKES A 2-0 WIN IN THE FIRST LEG TIE AGAINST JS SAOURA AT THE ACCRA SPORTS STADIUM

Accra Hearts of Oak who have been in a not so satisfactory form in the Ghana premier league had to go all out to ensure they got the win against their Algerian counterparts in the CAF Confederations Cup first leg tis played at the Accra Sports Stadium.

The game which started with the visitors kicking off in their usual pacy manner changed in a matter of seconds. In the first two (2) minutes of the game, Accra Hearts of Oak had a glorious chance to open the scoring after Daniel Afriyie Barnie dribbled past his marker on the flanks to cut back a sweet pass which was connected by Ibrahim Salifu. His shoot however was saved by Saidi the Js Saoura goalkeeper as Kofi Kordzi of Hearts of Oak pounced on the rebound, his initial attempt was cleared off the line with a second chance to slot in lofted over the goal post.

As the game went on, Husein, the center referee who doubles as a police officer in Egypt called for calm as Salifu Ibrahim launched into an attack bringing down his opponent in the centre circle.

With many changes in the defensive lineup for Accra Hearts of Oak it was always feared how the team will play together. Richard Attah, the Phobian shot stopper and defender Sewornu appeared jittery in the opening minutes after a back pass from the defender was miskicked almost giving the visitor an opener.

In the 16^th minute, Daniel Afriyie Barnie who was proving to be a thorn in the flesh for the Ja Saoura defense collected a pass from Ansah Botchway, the phenomenal winger drove the defense of Ja Saoura and gave a signature cross which was guided into the net by Salifu Ibrahim with a calculated header.

Minutes after the opener, Hearts of Oak skipper Mohammed Fatau took the ball at pace and delivered a low cross into the box but Kofi Kordzi’s connecting effort was saved yet again by Zakaria Saidi.

Before the water-cooling break in the 30^th minute, both teams were cheaply losing possession in the midfield with lots of defensive blunders. Play resumed two (2) minutes after with the hosts leading the charge once again.

Referee Husein blew the whistle for the end of the first half with Accra Hearts of Oak leading by loan goal. The second half continued in a different fashion as JASA started to ask questions in the goal area of the hosts. Richard Attah who was less busy during the first half was called into action a couple of times in the second half where he responded with calm.

William Dankyi who was having a wonder time on the pitch could not be any happier as he carried the ball from the center circle in the 71^st minute, held on to the ball at the flanks and delivered a wonderful cross that found Agyenim on the goal territory. Agyenim connected perfectly to give Hearts of Oak their most expected second goal against JASA.

Zakaria Saidi after a missed floating ball into the touch line run out of his box where confident Afriyie Barnie gave a chase and got ahead of the JASA goalkeeper. Saidi who had been booked for time wasting lost the ball to Barnie but pulled the Heart of Oak player down.

The centre referee wasted no time as he brought out a second yellow card and walked 25years old JASA goalkeeper Saidi off the field.

With 17 minutes left on the clock, Hearts of Oak played a ten (10) men JASA but failed to capitalize on their man advantage as the game ended 2-0 in favour of the hosts.