Hearts of Oak of beat King Faisal

Hearts of Oak began the second round of Ghana Premier League on a positive note as they beat a ten-man King Faisal 1-0 at home on Sunday.

Ivorian defender Reuben Gnagne converted from the spot midway through the second half to claim all points and but still remained in the relegation.

Hearts coach David Duncan made changes to his side with new signings Owusu Bempah, Joseph Mugre as well as returnee Emmanuel Osei, Esme Mends and old folk Kofi Abanga all handed game time.

Faisal on the other hand maintained many of the players who earned a 1-1 draw in the corresponding fixture at the Baba Yara Stadium in January.

The Kumasi-based side were subjected to bombardment right from the start and they were lucky to escape when Mahatma Otoo’s close range drive was just an inch wide.

Former Aduana Stars hit-man Mugre rattled the crossbar with a ferocious drive before Winful Cobbinah missed successive chances.

Faisal were reduced to ten men when former Hearts defender Tetteh Nortey was given his second booking of the afternoon for obstructing the tireless Cobbinah in the vital area.

Hearts pressed for the match winner after the break and that vital goal arrived finally when Ransford Kwakye handled Otoo’s connection from a corner-kick.