Karikari’s Late Stunner Sends Hearts of Oak Top of GPL

Hearts of Oak climbed to the top of the Ghana Premier League table after edging Basake Holy Stars 1-0 at the University of Ghana Stadium on Friday, thanks to Martin Karikari’s late strike.

The forward broke the deadlock in the 82nd minute, unleashing a superb left-footed effort to hand the Phobians their third consecutive victory in the league.

Hearts had to work hard for the breakthrough against a stubborn Holy Stars side.

Ransford Mensah came close to opening the scoring with a free-kick that struck the crossbar, while the visitors also produced a vital goal-line clearance to keep the game goalless.

Karikari eventually made the difference with eight minutes remaining, capping a dominant spell from the hosts and securing maximum points for coach Nebojša Kapor’s men.

The victory follows successive wins over Port City FC and Vision FC, further strengthening Hearts’ title ambitions.

However, their position at the summit remains subject to the outcome of the remaining Matchday 8 fixtures on Sunday.

Kapor was particularly impressed by the quality of Karikari’s decisive effort, describing it as a “really, really good goal.”

Defender Kelvin Osei Asibey also continued his impressive form, earning the NASCO Man of the Match award for the third consecutive time.

For Basake Holy Stars, the defeat extends their disappointing away record, leaving them without a point on the road after four successive losses away from home.

By: Emmanuel Opoku – Journalist