Inter Allies, Hearts of Oak fire blank at El-Wak Stadium

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February 13, 2017 5:39 PM

Hearts of Oak and Inter Allies played a goalless draw in their first game of the 2016/2017 Ghana Premier League season.

Inter Allies were held to a pulsating goalless draw game at home by Hearts of Oak in week 1 of the 2017 Ghana Premier League on Monday at the El-Wak Stadium.

Inter Allies unsettled Hearts of Oak in the first 15minutes the tie. The Eleven is To One side pinched the Phobians midfielder as they piled a lot of pressure on the away side.

Issac Osae leading the attack for the home side gave the Hearts of Oak defence a lot of problems with sweet skills and pace. Inter Allies could have scored but Inusah Musah put his body on the line to block Ropapa Mensah’s shot.

The Accra giants were forced to make their first substitution, Vincent Atingah replaced injured Robin Gnagne.

The Phobians had their first chance in the 20th minutes when Atingah connected Malik Akowuah’s free-kick, but Kwame Baah in post for the home side easily saved the ball from entering the net.

Hearts of Oak seemed to have found their rhythm as they started piling pressure on Inter Allies, but Allies defenders were on hand to prevent Hearts of Oak from scoring.

In the 38th minutes the Phobians were left off the hook, as Wahab Akwei hit the crossbar from Isaac Twum’s corner-kick – the rebound from Ropapa was saved by Ben Mensah.

Four minutes later, Ropapa tested Mensah’s agility again with a powerful drive but the former New Edubiase goalie was up to the task.

On the stroke of half time, Allies nearly struck the first goal as Ropapa header was saved by Mensah.

Inter Allies started the second half on a bright note, the Phobians were forced to defend deep due to the swift play of the home side.

Again, Mensah came to rescue of Hearts of Oak as he palmed off Hasim Musah’s drive on the edge of the Phobians penalty box.

Inter Allies intensified their pressure on Hearts of Oak but they failed to put the ball at the back of the net. Margue signing Malik Akowuah could have been the villain in the game as he nearly scored a goal from Paul Abanga’s low cross.

Against the run of play the Phobians nearly punished the home side as second half substitute Agbeshie Dotse shot wide from close range.

Getting to the latter part of the game, Hearts of Oak looked tired – they failed to put their passes together, Inter Allies kept the pressure on them but Mensah again saved the situation for the away side.

Allies tried getting the opener but Hearts of Oak were resolute at the back as the game ended scoreless.

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