In a thrilling encounter during the 2023/24 Ghana Premier League match week 11, Hearts of Oak emerged victorious with a narrow 2-1 win against Accra Lions.
However, the victory was hard-fought, and according to Hearts of Oak's assistant coach Rahim Bashiru, it was anything but an easy game. Bashiru acknowledged the formidable challenge posed by Accra Lions, stating that they "gave us a good game."
Hamza Issah initiated the scoring for the Phobians in the sixth minute, capitalizing on a splendid cross from Salifu Ibrahim on the left side of the attack. The young player skillfully nodded the ball in from the far post, opening the scoring.
Accra Lions responded with an equalizer just three minutes before the half-hour mark, as Abass Samari Salifu headed the ball through the legs of goalkeeper Richmond Ayi.
The first half concluded with a 1-1 scoreline, courtesy of goals from Hamza for Hearts of Oak and Abass Samari for Accra Lions.
In the dying moments of the game, Raphael Amponsah sealed the victory for the Phobians with a remarkable goal from a considerable distance.
"The feeling was so good I have to give thanks to the players they did so well playing a team like Accra Lions is not easy because they have a young and talented players that can juggle with the ball anytime they want," he said after the game.
"They really gave us a good game both in the first half and later part of the second half," he added.