Hearts dismiss Dreams 3-2 to reach FA Cup final

Reigning champion Hearts of Oak progressed to the MTN FA Cup final with a 3-2 win over 10-man Dreams FC in an exciting last four meeting at the Accra Stadium on Saturday.

Dreams FC caused an early upset to Hearts of Oak with a 4th minute opener by Sylvester Simba but the Phobians responded with an equaliser in the 10th minute when forward Benjamin York grabbed the equaliser after Afriyie Barnieh’s initial shot was saved by Dreams goalie Augustine Koomson.

Back from recess, Afriyie Barnieh put Hearts of Oak in the lead with 46th minute effort. Dreams FC were reduced to 10 men in the 57th minute after Issa Ibrahim was sent off for a bad tackle on Hearts defender Mohammed Alhassan.

Dreams FC goalkeeper Solomon Agbesi came off the bench to replace fellow shot-stopper Augustine Koomson in the 64th minute, only to concede just two minutes later. Hearts of Oak midfielder Suraj Seidu struck past substitute Agbesi after capitalising on an assist from right-back Dennis Nkrumah Korsah.

Substitute Kwaku Karikari provided a consolation in the 79th minute shortly after replacing Agyenim Boateng but went ahead to miss some crucial scoring chances.

The defeat was Dreams FC’s second successive loss to Hearts of Oak under the supervision of new Head Coach Ignatius Osei Fosu within the last 14 days. Hearts of Oak beat Dreams FC 3-1 in the Ghana Premier League match-day 27 fixture on May 1.

The winner of Sunday’s other last four clash between Aduana Stars and Bechem United will face Hearts of Oak in the Grande Finale on June 26 in Kumasi.