Goal Keeper Ben Asare was the toast of Accra Hearts of Oak players, fans and supporters on Sunday when he saved one penalty and scored to give the Phobians the 8-7 victory over Kpando Heart of Lions to lift the first 2024 Gbese Mantse Peace Charity Cup at the Accra Sports Stadium.
In the ensuing shootout, Bismark Anim missed a crucial penalty for Lions as Hearts kept their cool and converted all their kicks through Yahaya Adramani, Mawuli Wayo, Ransford Mensah, Oppong Afrane, Raphael Amponsah, Saani Mohamed, Ahmad Ramzy Yussif and Benjamin Asare who turned hero with his winning kick to claim the Gbese Mantse Homowo Peace Charity Cup, much to the delight of their passionate supporters.
The trophy which was presented by the Gbese Mantse, Dr. Nii Ayi-Bonte II who performed the ceremonial kick off will be exhibited at the new Commercial Center of the club housed in an ultra modern building at Asylum Down in Accra.
The match against Kpando Heart of Lions lived to its billing as they took the lead with a goal by former Hearts striker Obeng Junior, and dictated the pace in the first half.
Coach Aboubakar Ouattara made some changes in the new Accra Hearts of Oak set up with the inclusion of game changers who turned the tide and Mohammed Hussien found the equalizer with a few minutes to go.
After 90 minutes of exciting football from both sides, the penalty shoot out had to decide, that was where goal keepers draw attention and Asare made it happen.
He was at the Press Conference before the match at to promise his new club victory.
The former Accra Great Olympics goal tender made a record of the best clean sheet in the last 2023/ 2024 premier league.
The new Accra Hearts of Oak squad is young and energetic with great talent, as striker Kwabena Boateng was named the Man-of-the-Match.
Speaking after the game, Ouattara expressed pride in the club’s triumph and hinted that his revamped team will soon be competing in the Ghana Premier League, which starts on September 6, 2024.
“I’m proud because of the fans of this big family, who is the Hearts of Oak family. I’m proud because last season all these people suffered and after I think this trophy is just the beginning of the league.
“Maybe you can see new look Hearts of Oak in the league soon.”
If the supporters start filling the stadium, the players will jell. The Hearts Ladies must be commended for their ‘never say die’ spirit as they kept cheering and dancing when they were a goal down.
Sammy Anim Addo’s Golden Star Consult in collaboration with the Gbese Traditional Council organized the Gbese Mantse Peace Charity Cup to climax the Homowo Festival celebrations as well as create peace and unity among the people.
The one-off anniversary cup game was under the theme “We play for peace, 2024 elections.”