Accra Hearts of Oak on Saturday overcame a Karela United scare to win 3-1 in their Ghana Premier League match day 26 game played at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Having been on a three-match losing streak, Karela’s leader through Dafie Hamin Mohammed under five minutes created fear and panic among the Phobian faithful although there was a long time to pull a remarkable feat.
However, a brace from striker Hamza Issa and a stupendous strike from substitute Salim Adams cancelled out Mohammed’s second-minute goal in the opening period to the relief of the home team.
Hearts needed a win at all cost to pacify their fans, who have begun to grow impatient with the side following that streak of poor results.
The vociferous Rainbow fans lost their voices just under two minutes of play when Dafie Mohammed drove home from an acrobatic strike after skipper Emmanuel Anaful flicked in a throw by Umar Farouk.
The goal did little to shake the resolve of the hosts, who kept the action in the half of Karela United, who defended the lead doggedly.
Hearts kept the goal area of the visitors boiling with incessant pressure and could have equalised by the 11th minute, but Issah missed a glorious opportunity from inside the box.
Moments later, it was the turn of Issah’s strike partner Kassim Cissé to fluff his opportunity to equalize.
Next to squander another goal scoring opportunity was Enoch Asubonteng who had only goalkeeper Nasiru Abdul-Karim to contend with but smashed his shot over the bar.
But Karela’s resistance was broken on the 27th minute when
Abdul-Karim failed to save a cross from Linda Mtange, allowing Issah to tap home his 10th goal of the season to end the half on an even.
Back from recess, Hearts was rampant and on the 60th minute, Coach Ouattara brought on Adams for Cissé.
Three minutes later, he hit from about 35 yards into the net to send their supporters into ecstasy.
Five minutes after his goal, Adams passed what could have been his second, after dummying the goalkeeper in the box, to Issah whose kick missed the post.
Karela came out fiercely and went close to grabbing the equaliser but for a timely tackle from Michael Ampadu who blocked the strike on goal with 11 minutes remaining.
Ten minutes later, Abdul-Karim brought down Issah in the box for a penalty, which was converted by the latter for his brace and his side’s third on the night.
Issah’s brace takes him to the summit of the goal king chat with 11 goals.
BY RAYMOND ACKUMEY ACCRA