Accra Hearts of Oak put up what was one of their best performances this season as they held Asante Kotoko to a goalless draw at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday in the matchday seven outstanding fixture.
Kotoko came into the game the favorites following a string of good performances in the first half of the season, compared to Hearts who have found consistency as a challenge this campaign.
Hearts came closest to opening the score in the first 20 minutes but Kojo Obeng Junior’s shot from just outside the box came off the post.
Prior to that Sulley Muntari missed from an acrobatic effort within the six-yard box after what looked to be a poor defending on the path of the away side.
Kotoko’s clearest chances in the opening half fell to Cameroonian duo, Franck Mbella Etouga, and Georges Mfegue, with goalkeeper Richard Attah parrying over the crossbar the former’s strike.
Hearts and Kotoko went into the break with no goal separating them after 45 minutes.
Five minutes following the return from recess, Kotoko looked the more threatening side after Etouga and Richmond Lamptey were presented with opportunities to put the Porcupine Warriors in the lead but both players failed to make the most of the chances.
Muntari, who had a decent game was taken off after the 53rd minute with Isaac Mensah replacing him.
Attah stepped in time to deny Lamptey on the 60th-minute mark with the goalkeeper making a good save off the line from the attacking midfielder.
Despite a late attempt from the Phobians to snatch all three points with a series of set-pieces, Samuel Boadu’s side was unable to get another one over their fierce rivals as the game ended 0-0.
Kotoko end the first half of the season with a seven-point lead at the top of the table while Hearts languish in the seventh position.
