2020/21 GPL: Match Report: Salifu Ibrahim scores swashbuckling finish as Hearts Of Oak sink Medeama SC

Hearts of Oak kept their Ghana Premier League title hunt in sight following their deserving 2-0 win over Medeama SC at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday.

Midfield talisman Salifu Ibrahim drew first blood for Samuel Boadu’s men when he scored on the 41st minute mark before Benjamin Afutu headed past Frank Boateng to secure the points.

Kwadwo Obeng Junior should have fired Hearts ahead on the 21st minute but he effort was blocked by Frank Boateng in the Medeama goal between Vincent Atinga booted the ball away to safety.

Medeama’s Prince Opoku Agyemang and Abass Mohammed pressed the Hearts defence but Robert Addo Sowah and Mohammed Alhassan defended gallantly to keep them at bay.

The opening goal arrived on the 41st minute following a high pressing game from the Phobians inside the Medeama box. Kwadwo Obeng Junior resisted the two Medeama defenders as he skipped past them with his nimble foot. The gangling forward laid an inviting pass to Daniel Barnie whose effort from close range was blocked. But, the block resulted in a spilled ball which only fell to Salifu Ibrahim and the talisman poked the ball home from close range.

Fifteen minutes after the interval, a set piece from the right was not properly dealt with by the Medeama defence and Benjamin Afutu showed up to fire the ball home with a flicking header for his 5th league goal of the season.

Right after the insurance goal Samuel Boadu withdrew attacker Isaac Mensah and introduced Caleb Amankwah as his replacement. The former WAFA man provided an extra shield in midfield and he gagged any free space within the middle for Medeama to exploit.

Around 79th minute mark Emmanuel Nettey was substituted by youngster Larry Sumaila who came on to play his first game in months.

Salifu Ibrahim suffered an injury and was replaced by Umar Manaf 4 minutes from time.

By El Akyereko

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