GPL: Hearts of Oak Cruise Past Eleven Wonders as Kotoko Shine with Overhead-Kick Brilliance on GPL Matchday 20
Hearts of Oak recorded their biggest win of the season with a 3-0 victory over Eleven Wonders, while Asante Kotoko dazzled with two overhead kicks in a dominant win on Ghana Premier League Matchday 20.
Hearts Soar, Kotoko Dazzle: A Weekend of Authority in the Ghana Premier League
Matchday 20 of the Ghana Premier League delivered a statement of intent from two of the country’s most storied clubs. Accra Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante Kotoko both recorded emphatic 3-0 victories, reminding fans and rivals alike that the giants of Ghanaian football are very much alive in the title conversation.
For Hearts of Oak, Saturday’s encounter with bottom-placed Eleven Wonders at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium was not just another fixture—it was an opportunity to reassert dominance after a frustrating draw with Dreams FC at the same venue the previous week. The Phobians seized it with conviction, producing their most decisive performance of the season.
Goals from Mawuli Wayo, Martin Karikari, and a late penalty from Kelvin Osei Asibey sealed a comfortable 3-0 triumph, surpassing their previous biggest win of the campaign—a 2-0 away success against Berekum Chelsea in Matchday Six. More importantly, the result injected fresh momentum into Hearts’ title ambitions.
Early Intent, Total Control
Although officially the away side, Hearts were playing on familiar ground and wasted no time imposing themselves. The breakthrough arrived as early as the eighth minute, setting the tone for a dominant afternoon.
Henry Kwaku Boateng, pulling the strings in midfield, showed remarkable composure as he dummied defender Hakem Milla before threading a perfectly weighted through ball into the path of Mawuli Wayo. The winger needed no second invitation, driving a left-footed shot beyond goalkeeper Hardy Obenfo Adjei and into the corner.
It was a goal that captured Hearts’ intent—direct, confident, and clinical.
Despite the early strike, the contest remained competitive for much of the first half, with Eleven Wonders attempting to stay compact and frustrate their opponents. But Hearts’ superiority in possession and movement was evident. The Phobians dictated the tempo, circulating the ball with purpose and keeping Wonders pinned deep in their own half.
Goalkeeper Benjamin Asare had little to do, as Eleven Wonders struggled to mount any meaningful threat. Hearts’ defensive shape and midfield control ensured that the visitors spent most of the match chasing shadows.
Second-Half Ruthlessness
The breakthrough in the second half arrived in the 63rd minute. Substitute Martin Karikari doubled the advantage after Boateng’s powerful effort rattled the post. Karikari reacted quickest, bundling the rebound over the line to give Hearts a deserved two-goal cushion.
With the lead extended, Hearts played with greater freedom, confidently knocking the ball around and probing for openings. Eleven Wonders, already short on belief, found it increasingly difficult to cope with the pressure.
Twelve minutes from time, the contest was effectively ended. Defender Kelvin Osei Asibey stepped up from the penalty spot after Hamza Musah was judged to have fouled Hamza Issah in the box. Asibey made no mistake, calmly sending the goalkeeper the wrong way.
Hearts nearly added a fourth in stoppage time when Kofi Asamoah’s right-footed strike thundered off the crossbar, underlining just how dominant the Phobians had been.
For Eleven Wonders, the defeat marked their 15th of the season, leaving them rooted to the bottom of the table with just nine points from 20 matches. Their survival hopes continue to fade as they prepare to face Young Apostles at the Wenchi Sports Stadium.
Kotoko Return in Style
While Hearts were turning on the class in Accra, Asante Kotoko were delivering their own brand of entertainment at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium. The Porcupine Warriors responded to recent setbacks with a resounding 3-0 victory over Basake Holy Stars, highlighted by two spectacular overhead kicks.
Kotoko’s resurgence began in the 33rd minute when sustained pressure forced an error in the Holy Stars defense. A Kotoko attacker was brought down in the penalty area, and captain Samba O’Neil stepped forward with authority, converting from the spot to give his side the lead.
The second half belonged to returning striker Albert Amoah, who wasted little time announcing his comeback after rejoining on loan from a Libyan club. In the 74th minute, Amoah stunned the crowd with a breathtaking overhead kick, a goal that combined athleticism with instinct and flair.
Moments later, the magic continued. Kwame Opoku followed suit, producing another overhead kick to complete the rout and send the home fans into celebration.
It was not just a victory—it was a spectacle.
A Statement Weekend
The twin 3-0 wins from Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko offered a glimpse of what the league’s heavyweights are capable of when rhythm, confidence, and quality align.
For Hearts, the performance reinforced their title credentials, blending control with cutting edge. For Kotoko, the emphatic win and the flair of their goals signaled a return to belief and momentum.
As the season enters its decisive stretch, weekends like this serve as reminders of why these clubs dominate the conversation in Ghanaian football. The giants have spoken—and the rest of the league has been put on notice.
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