GPL Week 16: 10-man Hearts defeat Legon Cities to climb to second on league table

Accra Hearts of Oak, playing with 10 men, defeated Legon Cities 1-0 in their first Premier League match of 2025 at the University of Ghana Stadium on Friday, January 3.

Emmanuel Amankwaah was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for kicking the ball away following a foul committed against Hearts.

Despite being a man down, midfielder Ramzy Yussif's solo goal just before halftime proved to be the match-winner.

With the victory, Hearts moved into second place on the league table with 28 points, just two behind league leaders Kpando Heart of Lions.

Legon Cities, however, remain at the bottom of the table with only 11 points from 16 matches.

Midway through the first half, Cities had an opportunity to take the lead when Amankwaah fouled Williams Adjei just outside the box. However, Quartey’s resulting free kick was deflected for a corner. Amankwaah received the game's first yellow card for the foul.

The best chance of the match came when Kwabena Asamoah found himself unmarked at the end of a cross from Theophilus Collison. Despite being in a perfect position, the former Legon Cities striker failed to convert.

Hearts came close to scoring again in the 36th minute when Collison’s cross found Hamza Issa unmarked in the box. However, Issa missed the opportunity, and although Hussein Mohammed made contact with the ball, he could not direct it on target.

On the stroke of halftime, Ramzy Yussif scored his second goal of the season to put Hearts in front. The midfielder dribbled past several defenders from the edge of the area before firing a powerful shot past Cities' goalkeeper, Kwame Aziz.

In the 55th minute, Cities came close to equalizing when Amoah fired from close range, but Hearts goalkeeper Benjamin Asare was there to make the save.

Despite being reduced to 10 men, the Phobians held on during the remaining minutes, including six minutes of added time, to secure their sixth win in their last eight matches.