Ten-man Hearts of Oak beat archrivals Asante Kotoko by a lone goal to move up on the Ghana Premier League table on Sunday.
It was a crucial game for the two sides as a win will lift their title hopes after leaders Medeama SC dropped points in the matchweek.
The tension in the match was more intense as Hearts of Oak’s Head Coach Mas-Ud Didi Dramani was making a return to a familiar ground, Baba Yara Sports Stadium, where he won the league title as Asante Kotoko coach.
Prior to the game, the Porcupine Warriors had suffered a setback as Head Coach Abdul-Karim Zito had resigned for his assistant, Prince Yaw Owusu to take over.
It was Hearts of Oak who dominated play from the start of FIFA referee Daniel Laryea’s whistle.
Their dominance paid off in the 16th minute when Baba Adamu connected to a Martin Karikari free kick with a flick header, beating Mohamed Camara in post for the home side.
Though the Phobians were reduced to 10 men after a second bookable offence by Emmanuel Amankwah, they held on to scoop all the three points from the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
The win takes them to third place, same on points as second-placed Bibiani Goldstars, on the log. They both have 39 points, five points behind leaders Medeama SC.
Hearts of Oak’s next game will be at home to Samuel Boadu’s Berekum Chelsea.
Asante Kotoko, on the other hand, will seek to make amends as they travel to Wenchi to face Young Apostles on Matchday 23.