Take it back to 22 January 2022 at the Crosby Awuah Memorial Park. 9th placed Karela had beaten 3rd placed King Faisal a week before and were motivated enough to edge past champions Hearts of Oak in a week 14 fixture. 80 minutes played but the Phobians had not had a big chance yet, except that Salim Adams volley beautifully saved by Felix Kyei.
For Hearts fans who have followed their club closely this season, memories of last minute goals that secured precious points for Dreams, Aduana and Medeama were still fresh in their minds and Karela were ready to update that memory list. Umar Bashiru, occupied by two Hearts men in front of the penalty box manages a progressive pass to Dafie Mohammed, who has all the time and space to slot home a 90+3 minute winner for the home side. Full Time. Karela 1-0 Hearts of Oak.
In previous weeks, Hearts conceded an 80th minute penalty that rewarded Aduana a point in Accra. Their ex-player Vincent Atingah struck past Richmond Ayi from the spot on the 82nd minute in Tarkwa and Dreams FC have also enjoyed their fair share of the ‘Hearts last minute cake’ this season.
Of the ten goals Hearts of Oak have conceded this season, 8 were scored during the second half. To put it into context, Hearts of Oak have dropped 13 points from goals conceded in the 2nd half. More specifically, they have dropped 8 of those 13 points as a result of goals they conceded on or after the 80th minute mark. Four different goalkeepers have stood in between the sticks for the club this season but the issue looks more of a team structure & concentration throughout the game and less of a goalkeeper issue.
Samuel Boadu said ‘lack of concentration in the latter part of the game, led to us conceding the goal’ after the Karela defeat. Boadu, who turns 36 years today seems to be well aware of the problem and has made efforts not to let his team concede a last minute goal since the visit to Aiyinase. Earlier this season, he complained of fatigue as a big issue regarding their poor start to the campaign but their last two games seemed to have portrayed a Hearts side full of energy and mental awareness enough to see out games. They have two clean sheets from their last two games but didn’t score in any of two. Again, it is also important Boadu looks at his side’s away form. Hearts haven’t beaten a side in the top half of the league table away this season and their only victories came at 14th placed Bibiani Goldstars and last placed Elmina Sharks. They have scored 5 and conceded 7, which doesn’t speak well of a club who are not ready to give up their title ambitions this season, although leaders Asante Kotoko are 12 points ahead of them. Majority of the squad members who won last season’s league are still around. They know what it takes to compete for the league. Can they do what it takes to compete this time also? Well…
By: Sheriff Alidu
Twitter :@HiSheriff