When it mattered most, Soulama Abdulaye scored a beauty of an own goal to break Hearts’ hearts.
The Burkinabe stepped out on the pitch to prove his former employers wrong for letting him leave last year, and it backfired spectacularly.
Having had a holiday for 41 minutes, a back pass from Richard Akrofi was well curled into his own net. If the kick wasn’t stellar, the finish was elegant.
Neither side could find the back of the net again in the remaining 50 minutes (including added time) of the game.
Sports crusader rate the players in the game that brings the country into standstill.
Soulama Abdulaye – 3
The error: was rare, was world class, it was calamitous, and as if that was not enough, he capped off miserable day with challenge and the referee had to let him off his misery.
Fatau Muhammed – 4
Fatau Muhammed is the weakest link in the Hearts of Oak set up. His individual marking is bizzare and his crosses are awful. Kotoko threatened most at his end, but were blunt upfront.
Richard Akrofi – 6
He is brilliant. His artistic tackles, vision and over all output was industrious. He shielded the ball to perfection.
Robin Gnagne – 5
He is reliable. He gave of his best, but nothing worked for the entire team.
Owusu Bempah – The minutes he spent on the pitch is negligible to earn any rating.
Mustapha Essuman – 4
He was not his usual self. He lost that break up play that epitomized Hearts’ success so far in the league.
Sarbah Laryea – 6
As the wall of the Kenichi’s back line, he stood out to be counted but unfortunately, he was withdrawn by his boss when the team needed more attack-minded players to outnumber Kotoko in the final third.
Isaac Mensah – 7
The ‘Ashaiman Messi’ was Hearts’ best player against the Porcupine Warriors. He tore them apart, especially in the first department of the game and got Edwin Tuffour sent off.
His final deliveries however, were poor.
Eric Kumi – 5
The highly rated Eric Kumi ability on and off the ball were not purposeful. His combination with his team mates was zero all afternoon.
Cosmos Dauda – 6
Hearts’ outstanding player in the ongoing season left his scoring boots in the house, and fired blank when the packed stadium needed him most, not only for 3 points to go top of the table, but for bragging rights.
Samuel Yeboah – 6
The veteran striker was unlucky not to have opened the scoring early on. He came up into the game and pushed on, but it seemed his injury was 99% heeled.
Subs:
Kennedy Appiah – 6
Kennedy Appiah was one of the best players in the the game. His work rate was super, his crosses were spot on, but he was let down by his colleagues who were in the box.
Ashittey Ollenu – 5
He brought on the urgency Kenichi needed and was a thorn on the flesh of Amos Frimpong.
Samuel Akurugu – 5
He spent about 25 minutes on the pitch and his contribution was exceptional. He pulled off two great saves from Eric Donkor and Dauda Mohammed to keep the game at Hearts’ reach.
Asante Kotoko
Ernest Sowah – 5
had had holiday, but when Hearts drew closer, he was on point to safeguard his net.
Amos Frimpong – 6
The inspirational skipper fought superbly at his flank and busted forward at will to join the attack. His crosses for his intended target were awful though.
Evans Quao – 6
Evans Quao replaced Osei Agyemang and was a wall. He timing and challenges were class.
Ahmed Adams – 7
He recovered from his lethargic performance last week and got back the Ahmed Adams Kotoko bought from Berekum Chelsea.
Edwin Tuffour – 3
Joining attack, Tuffour was good but his recovery is poor. His timing of the ball and when to make a challenge should be worked on.
Stephen Nyarko – 8
The lion, the beast, and the architect. From his work rate, passes and positioning, he was exceptional.
Theophilus Nyame – 7
Until he was taken off, Theophilus Nyame was the thunder that striked the rainbow off the sky.
Eric Donkor – 7
The versatile winger was great in either of the positions he played during the game.
Obed Owusu – 6
His work rate is great, but he has phobia for running into the oppositions box.
Sarfo Gyamfi – 7
His nimble feet was the ammunition he used to tear Hearts up front. His defending too was great.
Dauda Mohammed – 7
A typical striker runs, a typical strike attempts, but he lacks the requirements of a clinical finisher.
Subs:
Kojo Poku – 5
He covered grasses when he was assigned to replace the magician, Theophilus Nyame.
Akwesi Nti – 4
His time on the pitch were not enough, but he gave Kenichi lengthy thoughts of pouring poor men forward to get the neede goal.
Emmanuel Asante – His time were not enough, but his contribution to the victory cannot be underestimated.
Super Clash Player Ratings
