Accra Hearts of Oak were held to a goalless draw by Aduana F.C. in the Ghana Premier League on Sunday.
Before the match, the two teams were separated by just three points and it reflected in the close nature of the contest. But not for long.
Eleven minutes into the game, Patrick Mensah broke free in the box, but his snap shot was met by a smart save from Hearts keeper, Solomon Agbasi.
Two minutes later, Hearts went close when Yaw Baafi Amankwaah’s cross found Mawuli Wayo unmarked in the box. However, the forward failed to direct his header on target.
Midway through the first half, Martin Karikari found Wayo on the edge of the area, but just like before, he rushed his effort.
In the 27th minute, the game’s best chance fell to Hearts of Oak, but Karikari missed from three yards out.
It all came from Wayo’s brilliant work on the left, leaving his marker for dead before finding Karikari, whose diving header missed the post by a mile.
Three minutes later, Wayo turned the culprit again when he skied his effort from inside the penalty box, after profiting from Anokye Badu’s poor clearance.
From then on, Aduana tightened up in the middle, ending Hearts of Oak’s dominance as half-time approached.
The second half was closer, with neither side prepared to give away much.
In a desperate bid to find the breakthrough, Aduana resorted to shots from distance. In the 64th minute, Charles Gyamfi Kamara produced one of those, but his effort flew harmlessly over the bar.
Hearts replied two minutes later, when George Paaku’s thunderbolt from range missed the post by millimeters.
Eleven minutes from full time, Agbasi was called into action again, diving to his elastic limit to save Gyamfi Kamara’s powerful header.
Both sides had opportunities on the counter break in the final ten minutes, but neither found the net.
Aduana remain top of the league with 28 points, but have played two matches more than second-placed Medeama S.C.
Hearts have now moved to 3rd with 25 points.