Hearts of Oak despite an authoritative performance could not sore more as the Phobians record a slim win over Wydad Athletic Club (WAC) in the first leg of the CAF Champions League second preliminary round.
Hearts head into the second leg in Morocco with a goal advantage after beating the Red and Whites 1-0 at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Issac Mensah’s first half goal was enough to give the Rainbow team a needed win.
The away side had a bright start and almost got the lead.
Richard Attah was called to action inside the first 5 minutes and the Black Stars goalie was up to task, keeping the game scoreless.
Hearts of Oak dominated possession there after but could not penetrate WAC’s solid organization at the back as both team head into cooling break on 33rd minute.
Right after the break, Kofi Kordzi put Afriyie Barnieh through, with goalkeeper Ahmed Tagnouti fast approaching Barnieh had a touch and was seemly tripped in the box. An appeal for penalty was overlooked by the referee.
Salifu Ibrahim chanced upon the rebound, bending it to the far corner but the goalkeeper was quick to pull a diving save and won a foul in the process. Big relief for the away side.
Eventually on the 41st the Rainbow lads broke the deadlock through Isaac Mensah who beautifully connected a near perfect cross from Salifu.
The home side ended the opening half as the better side and deservedly in front, 1-0.
In second half, Hearts continued where they left off stamping their authority in the match.
On the 57th minutes, Kordzi nearly doubled the lead with a left-footed volley inside the box but the goalie parried the powerful effort for a corner. The resulted corner was wasted.
Hearts came close again few minutes later after Kordzi set up Salifu in box but the latter blasted over the crossbar. Another chances goes begging.
The Ghanaian champions put in maximum effort to earn a two-goal but WAC’s looked resolute.
WAC in the additional minutes equalized through Muaid Ellafi but goal was ruled out for offside.
The exciting fixture then ended 1-0.
The second leg comes off in Casablanca, Stade Mohammed V on October, 24.
