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Ghana Premier league powerhouse, Hearts of Oak have beaten Wydad Athletic Club (WAC) in the first leg of the CAF Champions League on Sunday.
It was a cracker of a match and the Moroccans gave the Phobians an epic encounter despite some key players missing the game at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The reigning Ghana Premier league champions were hopeful of beating Wydad Athletic convincingly in order to make the return leg in Rabat a mere formality but it ended the other way.[ads2]
It was the only goal from Isaac Mensah that ensured Hearts of Oak get a slim advantage over Wydad Athletic ahead of the return fixture in Morocco.
The Phobians dominated the early minute of the game, showing much eagerness to frustrate the visitors with an early goal.
Coach Samuel Boadu made two changes in the line up that defeated Guinean club CI Kamsar in the preliminary round as he deployed a 4-2-3-1 formation in order to attack his opponents from all angles.[ads3]
Frederick Ansah Botchway was introduced in midfield to replace Caleb Amankwah who failed to pass a late fitness test while Kofi Kordzi started the game, partnering Isaac Mensah with Ibrahim Salifu and Afriyie Barnieh attacking from the wings.
Hearts of Oak came close to the opener in just seven minutes into the game as Salifu Ibrahim fed Kofi Kordzi with a sumptuous pass but the striker’s effort went wide.
Despite Hearts of Oak mounting pressure on the visitors, Wydad Athletic managed to settle in the game with midfielder Muaid Elfer testing goalkeeper Richard Attah with a long range shot.
In the 42nd minute, the Rainbow giants broke the deadlock kind courtesy attacker Isaac Mensah.
Mensah fed on a wonderful cross form Salifu Ibrahim to slot home the opener.[ads4]
Both clubs returned from the tunnel with Hearts of Oak pushing more men upfront in search of the second goal but all efforts went fruitless.
As if the game was ending 1:0 for Hearts of Oak, Wydad Athletic had the equaliser but unfortunately for them the referee rules it as offside.
Hearts of Oak will travel to Rabat next week for the second leg and should they win or pull a stalemate will qualify for the group stage of the competition.[ads5]
