Accra Hearts of Oak have been handed a slight reprieve from their impending relegation after the disciplinary committee of the Ghana Football Association adjudged them the winners of a protest they filed against Asante Kotoko.
The ruling thus awards Hearts three points and three goals, whilst Kotoko loses the same from their points and goals tally.
Hearts of Oak came up short in their improbable mission to overturn a 4-0 first leg deficit against Esperance; managing only a 1-1 draw that saw them knocked out of the Confederations cup.
Isaac Mensah gave Hearts an early lead, nodding home in the 4th minute, but that was as good as it got all game. Profligacy kept the score at 1-0, until Esperance equalised mere minutes from time.
Ghana’s continental club masters braved a home loss to march on in this year’s CAF Confederations Cup.
Hearts lost 1-0 at the Accra Sports Stadium to Djoliba, but the first leg 2-1 away win left the game 2-2 on aggregate, the Ghanaians progressing on the away goals rule.
It was a depleted Hearts side that turned up for the clash with the Malians. Skipper Gnagne missed out through suspension, whilst Owusu Bempah and goalkeeper Seidu where on international duty.
Knowing they were leading and not at full strength, it was a very cautious Hearts team that met the Malians. Hearts employed a very Herbert Addo set up, holding their opponents and not giving much room for chances.
It worked for most of the game, but the determined Malians finally broke through the chink, defender Ndiaye striking in the 84th minute.
The last remaining Ghanaian club in Africa, Hearts of Oak have come so close to making the group stage of this tournament for the first time in a decade.
For a club that originally not even supposed to play in this tournament, they have cobbled together an impressive run that they need to see through with advancement in Accra tomorrow.
Coming to town is Djoliba, the Malian side who lost the first leg 2-1 at home. Having a first leg away win to bring home is a fantastic situation, but Djoliba would prove a stern test that would require maximum effort from the Phobians to surmount.
