Benjamin Asare emerges hero as Hearts of Oak beat Heart of Lions in Homowo Charity Cup

By Simon Asare

Accra, Aug. 11, GNA – Accra Hearts of Oak emerged victorious in the 2024 Gbese Mantse Homowo Charity Cup after beating Heart of Lions 8-7 on penalties at the Accra Sports Stadium. 
 
The Phobians new goalkeeper Benjamin Asare saved and scored a penalty during the shoutouts as Hearts of Oak clinched a silverware ahead of the 2024-25 football season. 
 
Substitute Mohammed Hussien levelled the scores for Hearts of Oak with a late strike after Kwadwo Obeng Junior struck for Heart of Lions in the early minutes of the game. 
  
Having lost the Democracy Cup match against Asante Kotoko, the Phobians were eager to bounce back to winning ways. 
 
Coach Aboubakar Ouattara handed debuts to some new players, including Samuel Amofa, Patrick Asmah, Kwabena Boateng and goalkeeper Benjamin Asare. 
 
In the first half, the Phobians were not too impressive with their play, especially in the final third, where they struggled to create any clear-cut chances. 
 
Hearts of Oak forward players Kwabena Boateng and Afriyie Asamoah were often left isolated upfront as they received no services from the midfielders. 
 
The Phobians had a better start to the second half as they mounted pressure on the opponent in quest to restore parity. 
 
Mawuli Wayo, who was very lively upfront for the Phobians, had a glorious opportunity to level the scores, but his low shot was saved by Lions goalkeeper Lawrence Osei. 
 
The pressure in pursuit of the equaliser was incessant for the Phobians, and the Kwabena Boateng game was very close with a quarter of the game left. 
 
The pressure eventually paid off for the Phobians when substitute Hussien tapped in from close range after the Heart of Lions defence failed to clear their lines. 
 
It was a flawless penalty sweep with the first five, but it was Heart of Lions that fell short with the sudden death spots after Benjamin Asare saved a crucial kick for Hearts to clinch the trophy. 

GNA