Heart of Lions, the newly promoted team in the Ghana Premier League, faced another tough challenge on Sunday as they searched for their first win since their return to the top-flight league. Unfortunately, their quest for victory remained elusive as they fell 2-1 to Aduana Stars in a matchday nine fixture at the Hohoe Sports Stadium.
Lions’ head coach, Salifu Fatawu, made several changes to the squad in hopes of turning their fortunes around after suffering a 2-1 loss to Accra Lions just days prior. Samuel Koshie Agbenyegah and Dennis Hutor earned their first starts of the season, while Fawzi Ali returned to the starting lineup.
On the other side, Aduana Stars’ gaffer, Yaw Acheampong, opted for just one change to the squad that secured a comfortable 4-2 victory over Bofoakwa Tano in their previous match. Frank Owusu was included in the starting lineup, joining the in-form duo of Emmanuel Gyamfi and Isaac Mintah, who had collectively scored eight goals in their last three matches.
The visitors wasted no time in asserting their dominance on the field, with midfielder Kelvin Obeng finding the back of the net in the 18th minute, giving Aduana Stars an early lead.
Isaac Mintah extended Aduana’s advantage, netting his sixth goal in four matches just six minutes before halftime. The lethal combination of Gyamfi and Mintah had been a force to be reckoned with, and they continued to pose a significant threat.
Heart of Lions managed to pull one back in the 74th minute of the match, with Mustapha Yakubu finding the target. Despite their efforts to mount a comeback, they were unable to level the score.
Aduana Stars’ victory temporarily propelled them to the top of the league standings, with 18 points from nine matches, marking their fourth consecutive win. Their impressive form and goal-scoring prowess have solidified their position as a strong contender in the Ghana Premier League this season.
As for Heart of Lions, they continue their search for their first win since their return to the league, facing the challenges that come with competing at the top level. The Ghana Premier League remains as competitive and unpredictable as ever, promising fans more exciting matches and remarkable performances as the season unfolds.
