Cosmos Dauda's brace sinks Ashanti Gold at Obuasi

Prior to the game, the Phobians had gone four games without a win in all competition and in search of ending their winless streak, they beat the defending league champions at their own backyard.

Ashanti Gold went straight into action and bombarded Hearts of Oak with a lot of attacks but the Phobians kept their composure and defended vigorously.

Regardless of the strong nature of the away side, the Miners kept the heat on the Phobians as Osei Baffuor at the left-flank had the better off Fatau Mohammed. The home side failed to make their possession reflect on the score-sheet.

Hearts of Oak in the 20th minute upped their performance as they pinched Ashanti Gold’s midfield and their first chance in the game fell to Cosmos Dauda who failed to score. Five minute later Eric Kumi came close in scoring the first goal for the away side but he shot wide.

The play pattern of the Accra giants forced the Obuasi based club to defend as they relied on counter-attack and the closet they came Hearts of Oak defense led by Captain Robin Gnagne dealt with the dangerous moves.

On the stroke of half time, the Miners were left of the hook when Issac Mensah’s shot was blocked by Kadri Mohammed.

With the first half ending without a goal, both sides came into the second half with a lot of energy but it was the Miners who had the upper hand over the Phobians but against the run of play Cosmos Dauda shot the Phobians into the lead with a neat finish  in the 54 minute.

The Phobians never looked back as nine minutes later Cosmos Dauda grabbed his brace after he connected home Mustapha Essuman’s cross.

With two goals down, Ashanti Gold didn’t have any other option than to throw a lot of bodies upfront forcing the Phobians to defend deep in the game.

The Miners intensified the pressure and pulled one back in the 74 minute courtesy Nafiu Awudu. The home side then dominated play in search of the needed equalizer but the away side were resolute at the back as they cleared the entire dangerous balls.

Ashanti Gold never got frustrated as they kept the heat on Hearts of Oak but at that moment the damage has already been done as Kenichi Yatsuhashi’s men  held on to win the game.