GHALCA 8: Hearts, Kotoko bounce back
Accra Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante Kotoko secured vital wins yesterday in the GHALCA-organised G8 tournament as they booked their place in the last four of the season-opening competition.
After the two giants suffered humiliating defeats last week, Kotoko fought hard to secure a 2-0 win against Premier League champions, Aduana Stars at the Baha Yara Stadium.
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Eric Donkor strike and Kwame Boahen’s long range shot in either half of the game gave the Porcupine Warriors a deserving win days after they were stunned by Dreams FC (1-0) in Kumasi.
Yesterday when it mattered most, the Porcupine Warriors bounced back strongly as they created some decent chances, including one in the early minutes of the game when Boahen set up Ivorian star, Sylla Mohammed, but his effort at the edge of the box went straight into the arms of goalkeeper Gordon Yeboah.
But just when Kotoko seemed to be in control of the game, the tide changed in favour of Aduana with Sam Adams sending a thunderbolt from 25 yards but missing the target narrowly.
The Porcupine Warriors never relented in their efforts to score and a minute before halftime, they got the breakthrough when stranded goalkeeper Yeboah watched as Donkor’s volley outside the box went past him into the net.
Aduana saw their few chances fluffed after recess, but Coach Steve Polack’s charges kept fighting until the magic moment came for Kotoko. It was a perfect flick from Obed Owusu to Boahen from 18 yards as he cut into the Aduana defence before unleashing a curled short into the top right corner for the second goal.
At the Cape Coast Stadium, Hearts had to rely on two late goals by substitute Richard Zuma to beat Ebusua Dwarfs 3-2 in a thrilling encounter yesterday to reach the semi-finals of the competition.
Isaac Donkor shot Dwarfs in front in the 27th minute after he outjumped his marker to head home a corner kick. Their celebration was cut short as the Phobians restored parity two minutes later when Christopher Boney converted a spot kick after Daniel Kodie was fouled in the vital area.
Joseph Esso put Dwarfs ahead again from the spot after recess when Richard Akrofi brought down Moro Adams.
As defeat was staring at the Phobians, Coach Frank Nuttall introduced Zuma, who made his presence felt as the youngster turned the game around and cancelled the lead after he was put through by Samudeen Ibrahim.
Just when it appeared the game was heading for a deadlock, Zuma managed to get past two Dwarfs defenders before he fired home the winning goal for Hearts who qualified for the semi-finals alongside Medeama SC.
Yesterday, Dreams FC defeated Techiman Eleven Wonders 1-0 through a goal scored by Zuberu Sharani to book a place in the semi-final as the second-placed team in Group A behind Kotoko.