Substitutes Kofi Kordzi and Salim Adams scored on their debuts as Hearts of Oak edge out Club Industriel de Kamsar from the CAF Champions League.
The Phobians secured a 2-0 victory to progress to the next stage of the competition where they face Wydad Athletic Club next.
Isaac Mensah had Hearts of Oak’s first big chance as the forward calmly controlled a long ball from the back with the chest before firing straight to the goalkeeper’s hands on a turn.
The first department was highly intense with tackles flying in, obviously a busy half for the referee. Hence it ended goalless.
In the second half, Hearts came in full flow as Emmanuel Nettey fired one from distance but narrowly missed his target with the ball rolling over the bar.
The home side grew in confidence and begin to dominate the game.
On the 71st minute, Raddy Ovouka sent in a teasing ball which goalkeeper failed to have full grip due to a challenge by Mensah, Daniel Afriyie pounced on the lose ball to give Hearts the lead but the referee whistled for a foul on the goalie.
Few minutes later, Mohammed Alhassan sent in a long ball to substitute Enoch Asubonteng who found Afriyie to slot the ball in but the assistant line one had his flag up, another goal disallowed.
Hearts kept mounting pressure on Kamsar. On the 76th minute the away side fumbled with Salifu Ibrahim’s freekick which almost found it way into the net but the goalkeeper pulled an off the line save and a rebound was blocked to give the Phobians a corner.
The corner was perfectly whisked in to find substitute Kofi Kordzi whose shot on goal was blocked. Big relief for the Guineans finally.
Kordzi on his second debut for the club claimed the lead for the Reainbow team with a magnificent freekick goal. His drive and one-two play with Salifu resulted in the foul, which he did justice to it.
Hearts of Oak wrapped up the win through substitute and another debutant, Salim Adams who powerfully sent in a rebound shot to give the home side a 2-0 win.
Following the win, Hearts of Oak will host Wydad on October, 17 before visiting the Moroccans two weeks time between 22 and 23.
