Akwasi Sarpong rues costly mistake in Hearts of Oak win over Samartex

Akwasi Sarpong cut a frustrated figure after conceding that a costly mistake proved decisive as Hearts of Oak edged FC Samartex 1996 in a narrow Ghana Premier League defeat in Accra.

Hearts climbed to second place on the table after a hard-fought 1-0 victory at the University of Ghana Stadium on Friday, moving to 28 points and drawing level with leaders Aduana FC, who have a game in hand.

Samartex, meanwhile, were left to reflect on missed opportunities and a moment that swung the contest in the hosts’ favour.

“The football we played, we did our best, but their goal was a result of luck. It was a mistake that led to the goal. We are looking ahead, and next time, when we get our chances, we will convert them,” Sarpong said after the match.

Samartex almost made a dream start inside the opening two minutes when Christian Agyenim Boateng pounced on a defensive lapse by Abdul Karim, only to see his effort strike Hearts goalkeeper Solomon Agbasi in the face and bounce clear.

The hosts responded swiftly and created early pressure. Mawuli Wayo squandered a presentable chance in the fourth minute, firing over from close range, but made amends moments later with a more telling contribution.

Wayo pressed aggressively to force an error from Roland Grippman inside the area, recovered the loose ball and squared for Hamza Issah, who finished calmly to score the only goal of the game.