Hearts of Oak reignited their title push with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Young Apostles at the Accra Sports Stadium, bringing an end to a five-game winless streak in the Ghana Premier League.
The Phobians approached the game with urgency and discipline, determined to return to winning ways, but it was Young Apostles who created the first real threat early on.
Claude Bortey nearly stunned the home side inside three minutes, but his header from a corner was brilliantly cleared off the line by Kelvin Osei-Asibey.
Hearts gradually settled into the contest and found their breakthrough eight minutes before halftime.
Frank Abora Duku finished off a well-worked move, converting after a long ball from goalkeeper Solomon Agbasi was controlled and laid into his path by Mawuli Wayo.
Duku’s strike ultimately proved decisive and marked a personal milestone, as he scored in back-to-back matches for the first time since joining Hearts of Oak from Vision F.C. last June.
The dramatic moment came deep into stoppage time when Agbasi sustained an injury while tipping another Abubakar strike over the bar.
He was subsequently stretchered off and transported by ambulance. Head coach Didi Dramani later confirmed the goalkeeper suffered a concussion but was in stable condition in the post match interview.
The victory lifts Hearts of Oak to third place on the league table with 46 points, just five behind leaders Bibiani Gold Stars, firmly keeping them in the title race.
Young Apostles, meanwhile, slip deeper into relegation trouble, now sitting 16th with 33 points.
