In a dramatic encounter between Glorious Accra Hearts of Oak and Bechem United at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, former Hearts player Bernard ‘Dada Don’ Bortey who felt he has wronged the club went on his knees to seek forgiveness from the Oak family before the game began.
Hearts of Oak who entered the game as defending champions of the MTN FA cup had a simple job to do and that was to ensure they got crowned at the end of the day.
Bechem United on the other hand started the game strongly and pushed Glorious Accra Hearts of Oak to the walls. They ensured they played majority of the ball in the half of Accra Hearts of Oak and when all seemed to be calming, their persistence paid off through a strike from Emmanuel Avornyo.
Their pressing was working and seemed they will be carrying the day until the Rainbow boys upped their game. Coach Boadu and his management team got working and started to issue instructions from the lines and immediately the changes could be felt on the pitch.
Caleb Amankwah who seemed quiet from the beginning of the game gradually gathered momentum and silenced his critics after drawing blank for Accra Hearts of Oak.
With the focus now on a winner, both teams started to play according to the tactics from their bench and it worked perfectly until the untamed goal poacher Daniel Afriyie Barnieh again powered Hearts of Oak into the lead with a world class finish.
Games of these magnitude has always witnessed many high rage issues and this was no different. In the 68th minute after Hearts of Oak had taken the lead, Augustine Okrah who was having a good day suddenly became the bad nut. Okrah who couldn’t hold his frustration head-butted the assistance lines man and it was quickly shown the exit.
With many chances going abegging for both teams, Accra Hearts of Oak held their lines and ensured they protected their lead till the final whistle.
The Continental Club Master having successfully defended their MTN FA Cup have qualified to the TotalEnergies Confederations Cup as their fierce rivals Kumasi Asante Kotoko represent Ghana in the TotalEnergies Champions League.
Congratulation to the defending Champions of the MTN FA Cup and also to Bechem United for giving a good account of themselves.
Frederick Marfo is a sportswriter and social worker well known for his advocacy for equal chances and rights for all athletes, especially those with disabilities.
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