A late but contentious penalty handed Hearts of Oak the bragging rights over arch-rivals Asante Kotoko in their 2016/17 Ghana Premier League first round super clash on Sunday.
In a game nearly marred by plenty stoppages due to injury to one player and another, it was Vincent Atingah’s neatly converted spot kick that separated both sides.
With the introduction of Patrick Razak just before the second half, Hearts of Oak recovered from their opening half slumber and gave the Porcupines a good run.
Kotoko continued to spurn the few chances that they created in a subdued second half.
Referee Samuel Sukah who had scored nearly full points for his controlled performance from the middle however pointed to the spot in a controversial manner after Kotoko defender Ahmed Adams threw himself at a shot by Samuel Yeboah.
Replay shows the ball went straight into the central defender’s back but the referee saw it differently.
Vincent Atingah, who had his head wrapped in bandage following an injury early on, stepped up and shot straight down the centre to give the Phobians the lead.
Hearts kept the advantage and eventually won the intriguing encounter 1-0 over Kotoko, their first in 7 attempts in as many seasons in Accra. The Phobians move up to 6th position while the Porcupine Warriors maintain their 2nd spot.
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