Vincent Atinga powers Hearts into semi-final
Accra Hearts of Oak, Wa All Stars and former champions Medeama SC qualified for the penultimate round of the MTN FA Cup competition after victories in the Round of 16 yesterday.
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The trio will wait for the winner of Asante Kotoko SC vrs Nea Salamina FC clash to complete the semi-final line-up.
Yesterday, Hearts needed a goal from the spot to ease past second tier side, Danbort FC, with a 1-0 win at the Accra Sports Stadium, with Vincent Atinga emerging the hero of the day.
Until the 63rd minute, Danbort’s Sadick Abubakar had been a pillar in midfield but a reckless tackle on Patrick Razak in the penalty box turned him into a villain as Hearts were rewarded with a spot kick which Atinga scored by sending Danbort goalkeeper, Prosper Gbeku, to the opposite direction.
Before the opener, Hearts looked an ordinary side, especially in the first half as Coach Frank Nuttall made three changes to the team that beat Inter Allies last week. Cosmos Dauda’s partnership with Kwame Kizito in attack could not penetrate the defence formed around Darbort’s John Mensah and Seth Sowah.
The Hearts attacking duo were wasteful up front until the 18th minute when Dauda burst from the flanks to beat Stanley Boateng before sqåueezing a shot to the near post, but Gbeku palmed the ball away to safety to keep Danbort in the game.
A minute later, Gbeku again denied Hearts the opener when he fisted away Kizito’s header as he connected a long free-kick by Fatau Mohammed. On the half hour mark, Kizito blasted wide a fine opportunity with only the goalkeeper at his mercy.Coach Nuttall varied his tactics after the interval when he introduced Razak, Samudeen Ibrahim and Paul Acquah which worked in their favour. Razak used his pace to run down the Danbort defence and forced two quick corner kicks by the 60th minute which the Phobians wasted.
Coach Nuttall varied his tactics after the interval when he introduced Razak, Samudeen Ibrahim and Paul Acquah which worked in their favour. Razak used his pace to run down the Danbort defence and forced two quick corner kicks by the 60th minute which the Phobians wasted.Danbort’s Abubakar worked tirelessly in the heart of midfield but failed to contain slippery Razak in the box and in his attempt to dispossess the forward of the ball, he whacked down the Hearts star and was penalised by referee Charles Bulu with a spot kick which Atinga scored.
Danbort’s Abubakar worked tirelessly in the heart of midfield but failed to contain slippery Razak in the box and in his attempt to dispossess the forward of the ball, he whacked down the Hearts star and was penalised by referee Charles Bulu with a spot kick which Atinga scored.At the Malik Jabir Park, Wa All Stars played a determined game to defeat Berekum Chelsea FC 2-0 to book a place in the semi-finals of the competition, writes Emmanuel Modey.
At the Malik Jabir Park, Wa All Stars played a determined game to defeat Berekum Chelsea FC 2-0 to book a place in the semi-finals of the competition, writes Emmanuel Modey.All Stars dominated the exchanges and shot into the lead in the 17th minute through Nasiru Moro who put up a man-of-the-match display. The goal came from a free kick around the Chelsea goal area which Nasiru quickly passed to Hafiz Adams and he returned the compliment with a pass to Nasiru deep inside the penalty box to shoot past the blind side of goalkeeper Stephen
All Stars dominated the exchanges and shot into the lead in the 17th minute through Nasiru Moro who put up a man-of-the-match display. The goal came from a free kick around the Chelsea goal area which Nasiru quickly passed to Hafiz Adams and he returned the compliment with a pass to Nasiru deep inside the penalty box to shoot past the blind side of goalkeeper Stephen Gebttey.Just two minutes after the Chelsea defence recess, the home side increased the lead after Seth Amoabeng took on and fired home the second goal.
Just two minutes after the Chelsea defence recess, the home side increased the lead after Seth Amoabeng took on and fired home the second goal.Two first half goals by Rashid Nortey (10th minute and Latif Salifu (18th) gave Medeama a 2-1 victory over Amidaus Professionals 2-1 to reach the penultimate round.
Two first half goals by Rashid Nortey (10th minute and Latif Salifu (18th) gave Medeama a 2-1 victory over Amidaus Professionals 2-1 to reach the penultimate round.
