Match Report: Asante Kotoko hold Hearts of Oak to open seven-point lead at the top

The Super Clash between Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko on Sunday afternoon has ended in a goalless stalemate.

Today at the Accra Sports Stadium, the Phobians locked horns with the Porcupine Warriors to clear the only remaining outstanding match in the first round of the Ghanaian top-flight league campaign.

On the matchday, Hearts of Oak had a bright start to the match with the team’s counter-attacking play causing all kinds of trouble for the Porcupines and they should have taken an early lead when Daniel Barnieh set up Kwadjo Obeng Jnr, whose strike hit the post.

Minutes later Barnieh had an opportunity to break the deadlock but squandered the chance as Kotoko kissed their luck in the first half hour of the game.

Red-hot Kotoko forward Franck Etouga came close for the Porcupines in the 36th minute but his effort did not trouble Richard Attah.

Asante Kotoko returned from the break the more adventurous with Etouga and Richard Lamptey getting great opportunities and keeping Hearts goalie Richard Attah busy.

Sulley Muntari, who was impressive in the first half had to be replaced in the early minutes of the second half by Fredrick Ansah Botwe.

The Phobians started to grow into the game once again but could not just find the back of the net, and later on coach Samuel Boadu brought on leading scorer Kofi Kordzi for Barnieh.

The powerful forward did not get enough time to make an impact as the two team shared the spoils in Accra.

Courtesy of the result, Asante Kotoko have finished the first round of the Ghana Premier League season at the top of the table with 37 points.

Bechem United, Aduana Stars, and Great Olympics complete the top four with Hearts of Oak lying 8th on the standings of the division.