Hearts draw blank at home

Accra Hearts of Oak failed to win at home again after an uninspiring scoreless drawn game with Ebusua Dwarfs at the Accra Sports Stadium Wednesday, leaving them 12 points adrift runaway league leaders Kumasi Asante Kotoko.

The Phobians — who are without a win in the nation’s capital since beating Liberty Professionals 2-0 last October — enjoyed greater ball possession and took the game to the visitors but often looked bereft of ideas in attack. Mohammed Polo’s side had trouble finding forward Romeo Agban in good scoring position, and the team wasted scoring opportunities that came their way.

Dwarfs gave a signal of intent as early as the fourth minute when forward, Richard Gadze, ghosted into the penalty box only for his pass to strike partner Frederick Boateng to be cleared out by Hearts defender Nuru Sulley.

The Phobians were so blunt in attack that they had to wait till the 25th minute to record their first shot on target when full-back Owusu Bempah’s shot went straight into the arms of Dwarfs goalkeeper, Collins Addo.

 Hearts continued to dominate the exchanges in the second half after the introduction of Ollenu Ashittey and Gilbert Fiamenyo and Abrazziz Abankwa who helped pin Dwarfs to their own half, but the visitors’ centre-backs of Kingsley Nteng and Vincent Atingah were resolute and held the Hearts forwards in check.