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Hearts of Oak on brink of relegation after Kotoko defeat

By Frank Appiah
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Hearts of Oak on brink of relegation after Kotoko defeat

Hearts of Oak find themselves perilously close to relegation following a 2-0 defeat to arch-rivals Asante Kotoko in the much-anticipated Super Clash on Sunday at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.

The loss has left the Phobians teetering just above the relegation zone in the ongoing 2023/24 Ghana Premier League season.

Kotoko’s victory was spearheaded by the outstanding performance of Ugandan international Steven Mukwala, who scored both goals in the crucial encounter. The 24-year-old striker demonstrated his prowess early in the game, capitalising on a long pass to beat two defenders and slot the ball past the Hearts’ goalkeeper in the ninth minute. Mukwala sealed the win in stoppage time with another brilliant effort, running rings around his markers before netting the second goal.

The defeat has left Hearts of Oak in 14th position on the league table with 38 points, just two points above the relegation zone. With only three matches remaining, the Phobians must secure crucial points to ensure their survival. Their upcoming fixtures include home games against Nations FC and Great Olympics, and an away match against Bechem United.

Hearts of Oak’s head coach Aboubakar Ouattara acknowledged the pressure but emphasised that it is a collective effort to fight for survival.

“I’m not personally under pressure; the whole team is under pressure. Not me alone. Collectively, we are under pressure because we needed the points,” Ouattara said.

Despite their determination, Hearts of Oak were unable to break down Kotoko’s resolute defense and now face a daunting task to avoid relegation.

“In the three remaining games, we need the points. We don’t have any choice. To get the points, we must score, and to score, we need to play simple football,” Ouattara added.

Asante Kotoko, on the other hand, are riding high after their back-to-back victories over their fierce rivals, with Mukwala’s brilliance giving them a much-needed boost in their quest for a respectable finish. The final weeks of the season promise intense drama as teams fight for survival and glory in the Ghana Premier League.

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Frank Appiah is a sports writer with MG Sports, the general sports department of Media General Ghana, serving TV3, 3News, Onua TV and other platforms in the group.

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