The first Mantse derby of the season was played at the Accra sports stadium on Saturday night and it was Accra Great Olympics who produced a first half masterclass to take a commanding 2-0 lead over city rivals Accra Hearts of Oak as parts of the floodlights at the Accra sports stadium went off for a very short period.
Striker Maxwell Abbey Quaye was fouled by Hearts of Oak defender Nuru Sulley on the edge of the box and skipper of the side Gladson Awako superbly scored directly from the freekick in the 13th minute for his 3rd goal of the season before Abbey Quaye made it 2-0 just after five minutes.
Abbey could have scored a brace in the 78th minute as his effort went just over the crossbar as Hearts of Oak hit the woodwork twice through the efforts of Emmanuel Nettey and Patrick Razak.
Interestingly Abbey Quaye was assisted by his brother Samuel Quaye who played as a right wing back for Olympics in this game. Samuel’s cross from the right side into the area found Abbey who was unmarked in the box and the striker delivered a powerful volley that beat goalkeeper Richmond Ayi. The goal represent the fourth realization of Abbey Quaye this season.
Hearts of Oak coach Kostadin Papic replaced Nettey – who was making an injury comeback in this game and failed to make any significant impact – with Benjamin Afutu in the 48th minute and forward Isaac Mensah also took the place of Patrick Razak in the 69th minute as the Phobians struggled to breach the goal of goalkeeper Saeed Salifu.
Parts of the floodlights at the Accra sports stadium went off in the 54th minute but it did not take long for them to be restored as the game continued from the 56th minute with Hearts of Oak taking a corner kick.
The Phobians who won the last fixture by 4-0 could not match their performance on Saturday and Great Olympics – coached by former Hearts of Oak player Yaw Preko and assisted by Godwin Attram – marched on to claim another big win after defeating Asante Kotoko at the same venue this season.
Watch highlights of the match below:
