Bofoakwa Tano have been able to maintain their impressive home run of form by securing a 1-0 win over Accra Hearts Of Oak at the Sunyani Coronation Park on Saturday.
Captain of the side, Saaka Dauda’s second half strike was enough to spearhead Bofoakwa Tano to their second home win of the season.
The Sunyani Coronation Park has turned out to be one of the most dreaded venues to visit in the ongoing season. The roars, chants and energy from the spectators have proving to be encouraging anytime the players take to the field and Saturday’s encounter was no different.
Bofoakwa Tano had previously secured their first top-flight win in 16 years in their last home encounter against Real Tamale United (RTU) amidst officiating controversies.
The Hunters picked up from where they left off against RTU as Elijah Addae forced Hearts of Oak goalkeeper Richard Attah by making a smart stop in the 10th minute.
Addae came close to breaking the deadlock on the 25th minute but his shot from the edge of the box went narrowly wide.
Hearts of Oak on the other hand were limited to half chances and struggled to create clear cut chances through a resolute Boafoakwa Tano rearguard in the first half.
Scorer of the first goal in Boafoakwa Tano’s last outing, Saaka Dauda came close with a free kick deep in first half but he blasted off target, leaving the game in a stalemate heading into the break.
But the stadium erupted after the recess with Saaka Dauda leading by example with a darting run in the box before rocketing his first time finish into the right bottom hand corner to give Tano a deserved advantage.
Dauda proved to be a menace for the Phobians backline as the game wore on. He was close to getting his brace in the 73rd minute but his first time finish from inside the box skewed wide.
Bofoakwa controlled proceedings from there and managed to see out the game with Hearts of Oak lacking an attacking bite in another underwhelming display, as the Phobians remained stodgy start to the season continued.
Assistant coach of Accra Hearts of Oak, Abdul Raminu Bashiru admitted his side were best in the second part in their encounter against Boafoakwa Tano.
“To be frank with you, we played so bad especially in the first half. That wasn’t the plan. The score line was a fair reflection because they were ahead of us in the first half but in the second half we don’t know what happened,we came in the first two minutes they had their goal and later part we came in the game but it was too late. I think they played so well but they are spoiling the beauty of the game.Anytime,there are players going down and that’s my problem but they played so well.”
Meanwhile, Stephen Frimpong Manso, gaffer for Boafoakwa Tano could not hold back his excitement as spectators continued to revel in the stands after the game. He reacted to the electrifying ambiance at the Coronation park after the game.
“I knew if we win this game there’ll be scenes like this,even before the game there was such situations so for me I am expecting this to go on throughout the night,” he stated.
Frimpong Manso however threw caution to the wind for the Tano fans not to get overly excited over the club being on top of the league heading into Sundays fixtures.
“All they want [the supporters] is the team to win.So for me sometimes they do such things out of maybe anger or whatever,but they should understand this is football.Sometimes you can win, sometimes you can draw and if the worst happens, even if it’s in defeat you will need to understand the game. That is what I think fans should educate themselves for.”
Bofoakwa Tano will be hoping to remain in Ghana’s Top flight football league for as long as possible having struggled in the Division One league for 16 years.
Saaka Dauda who has been inspirational for the team thus far this season was on the scoresheet for the second consecutive game for Tano. Dauda was recepient of the most valuable player accolade and shared his thoughts on the famous win over Accra Hearts of Oak.
“These points mean a lot to us and it will boost our morale to go more ahead of those matches that are left.I think this one will boost our morale and we will do more.”
The Sunyani based side sit at the summit of the Bet Pawa Ghana Premier League heading into Sundays fixtures, whiles the Phobians lie in 14th position, a place above the drop zone.
–
Story by: Andrews Sefa Bamfo | univers.ug.edu.gh
