GPL 24/25: Aduana Stars defeat spiritless Hearts of Oak - MyJoyOnline (2025)

Accra Hearts of Oak's listless form continued in the Ghana Premier League when they succumbed to a 2-0 loss to Aduana Stars on Wednesday.

A first half strike from Sam Adams and a second from Ivorian Abdel Latif Bamba in the 87th minute were enough to see off a heartless Hearts of Oak side.

After a difficult start to life, Aduana Stars have looked rejuvenated under new manager Ciorba Aristica.

When the match started their new found form showed as they repeatedly found a way past the Phobian rear guard.

In the 15th minute one of such moves forced a brilliant save from Hearts keeper Benjamin Asare. The Black Stars first choice goalkeeper stretched to his elastic limit to deny Sam Adams's fine effort from close range.

Aduana continued probing down the right side and in the 10th minute, came close again but for a timely intervention of Ransford Mensah.

Seven minutes later, Aduana's persistence paid off when Sam Adams rifled one into the top corner with the outside of his foot.

The goal jolted Hearts into action but there was little coherence and purpose in their efforts to restore parity.

Hearts started the second half with two substitutions as Asamoah Boateng and Ransford Mensah made way for Kwabena Boateng and Yahaya Draman.

The substitutions did little to stop Aduana's momentum as they continued their dominance in the second half.

Five minutes after coming on, Adraman was called into action with a last ditch tackle to stop former Hearts left back Liventius Arthur.

On the hour mark, Hearts were awarded a free kick on the edge of the area when Kwabena Boateng was brought down. However, the resultant free kick was wasted.

Hearts tried to build on the momentum but their attempts were stalled by successive fouls on playmaker, Hussein Mohammed.

In the 77th minute, Hussein was forced off after suffering a foul too many. His place was taken by Martin Karikari.

His exit marked the end of any real threat from the Phobians as Aduana resumed control of the match.

Out of the blue, Kwabena Boateng found himself unmarked in the box but he failed to make clean contact with the ball, spurring Aduana's blushes.

With a minute remaining on the clock, Liventius Arthur found Abdel Bamba with a brilliant cross. The Ivorian made no mistake and headed home for the second.

Wednesday's win takes Aduana Stars points accumulated to 35, and they are now 11th placed on the log.

Hearts of Oak, meanwhile, have now lost four of their last seven league games. Aboubakar Ouattara's men have only won once in that time.

The Phobians have now dropped to 6th position on the league table, with 41 points.

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