Hearts of Oak falter again in title race

Accra Hearts of Oak endured another frustrating and scoreless day at home after failing to break down struggling Berekum Chelsea in a Ghana Premier League match at the University of Ghana Stadium in Legon yesterday.

Despite dominating possession and coming close several times, Hearts continued their scoreless run at home in the league this year after failing to score again for the third successive home fixture and drop to third on the league log. 

Buoyed by the impressive victory against arch rivals, Asante Kotoko on the road last week, Hearts started on the front foot with determination to end their scoreless and winless home run in 2026.

But within ten minutes, a clear pattern of play emerged, where the Phobians nicked possession, probing a way through to goal and Chelsea defending for their lives to keep the scores barren.

Hearts first chance

Hearts' first meaningful threat occurred in the 17th minute but the Chelsea defence stood firm, clearing it out for a corner. Two more corners followed within minutes later but were also wasted by the Phobians.

As the pressure mounted, Mawuli Wayo tried a shot from halfway inside Chelsea territory but his effort was deflected and cooly grabbed by keeper Eric Ofori Antwi in post for the visitors.

A minute later, left back Baba Adamu found Wayo with a perfect pass on the edge of the box but his shot posed no danger to keeper Antwi.

Baba Adamu, who scored against Kotoko a week earlier, nearly found the net again after his carpet shot from a rebound beat keeper Antwi but Seidu Mohammed saved Chelsea with a goal line clearance.

Against the run of play, Berekum Chelsea launched a quick counter attack in 35 minutes that ended with Dominic Frimpong driving a fierce shot which an outstretched Hearts captain, Benjamin Asare, parried over the bar for Chelsea's first corner of the game.

Second half

Back from recess, Hearts continued to create chances but continuously couldn't break down the resolute Chelsea defence.

It took more than ten minutes for a chance but Wayo again spurned a point blank opportunity following a quick counter attack by the Phobians in the 56th minute that ended with Abdul Karim laying it on a plate but Wayo failed with his connection, as the home frustrations grew.

In a bid to secure the desired result, Hearts made two quick substitutions, bringing on Stephen Appiah Asare and Raphael Amponsah for Mohammed Hussein and Abdul Karim halfway through the half but still couldn't find a way through.

The University Stadium was thrown into controversy in the 71st minute when Chelsea centreback, Seidu Mohammed, appeared to have pulled Mawuli Wayo down in the penalty box during a goalmouth melee but referee Jacob Adentura ignored the vehement calls by the home crowd for a spot kick.

Hearts fans thought they had finally scored in the 75th minute after Raphael Amponsah's inswinger from the edge of the right side of the penalty box, swept across the face of goal with the Chelsea defence and keeper caught flatfooted but Wayo failed to connect just inches from the goal line.

In the heat of the frustrations, Hearts coach, Mas-Ud Didi Dramani, was shown the yellow card by referee Adentura following a hot verbal exchange between the two on the touchline with less than 10 minutes remaining.