Ghana Premier League: Hearts drop points in stalemate with Bechem
Accra Hearts of Oak failed to capitalise on a slip by league leaders, Medeama SC, after being held to a frustrating 0–0 draw by Bechem United in the Ghana Premier League at the University of Ghana Stadium, Legon, yesterday.
Following Medeama’s 2–1 defeat to Nations FC and Asante Kotoko’s 3–1 loss to Heart of Lions, Hearts missed a golden opportunity to move into second place on the table and close the gap on the leaders to five points ahead of next week’s crunch Super Clash against Kotoko in Kumasi.
The Phobians dominated proceedings from start to finish but once again lacked the cutting edge to break down a well-organised Bechem defence, settling for a share of the points after failing to score at home for the second league match this season.
After 21 matches, Hearts sit third on 36 points, seven behind runaway leaders Medeama and level on points with defending champions Bibiani Gold Stars, who beat Swedru All Blacks 1–0 to climb into second place. Aduana FC, also on 36 points, sit fourth, with Kotoko fifth on 35 points.
Hearts coach Mas-Ud Didi Dramani made a surprising selection decision by starting national team goalkeeper Benjamin Asare on the bench, despite his unveiling as a new brand ambassador for Unilever Ghana just before kick-off. Youngster Solomon Agbasi was handed a return between the posts.
Buoyed by a sizeable home crowd, Hearts showed intent early, winning a corner kick inside the opening minute and striking the woodwork from another set piece less than three minutes later.
Bechem, however, looked dangerous on the counter and nearly silenced the home crowd in the 11th minute when Emmanuel Abban’s long throw was met by a spectacular bicycle kick from Emmanuel Sefa, which sailed just over the bar.
The pattern of play remained unchanged as Hearts pressed and probed in search of an opener, but lacked pace, intensity and precision in the final third. Bechem stayed compact and disciplined, relying on occasional counterattacks to frustrate the hosts.
Hearts’ clearest chance of the first half fell surprisingly to right-back Emmanuel Amankwaa in the 36th minute after a surging run into the box, but he failed to keep his effort down as the half ended goalless.
Second half
The second half saw Hearts continue their dominance, though clear chances remained scarce. Their first real threat came 10 minutes after the restart, but Mawuli Wayo’s effort was blocked.
Against the run of play, Bechem launched two dangerous attacks in quick succession around the hour mark, with the second forcing a fine diving save from Agbasi to deny the visitors a shock lead.
Bechem’s defensive resilience paid off as they successfully stifled Hearts’ attacking rhythm, and even a late lifeline for the hosts in the 82nd minute—when Hussein was brought down on the edge of the penalty area—went begging, with Wayo failing to make it count from the resulting free kick.
The visitors nearly stunned the University of Ghana Stadium late on with another swift counterattack in the 88th minute, but man-of-the-match, Ali Mohammed, was alert to snuff out the danger.
Despite late pressure from Hearts, Bechem goalkeeper Asiedu and his backline stood firm to deny efforts from Hamza Issah and Wayo, as the Phobians dropped valuable home points and failed to score again ahead of the highly anticipated clash with Kotoko on February 15.
