Accra Hearts of Oak beat Eleven Wise 5-4 on penalties to win this year’s President’s Cup played at the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium on Wednesday.

Striker Eric Gawu proved a vital substitute when he leveled up virtually seconds after coming on in the second half, and was on hand again to convert Hearts’ winning penalty to send the anxious fans at ease and into wild jubilation.

Eleven Wise had deservedly taken the lead playing 10 men when Stephen Aidoo was sent off for driving his boot across the face of Eric Nyarko in an aerial clearance. But even with ten men, Eleven Wise looked more organised than their opponents, but a momentary defensive lapse in the 66th minute saw Eric Gawu who was still running into position after taking over from Balla Tingana exploit the situation to advantage.

Gawu lifted himself up into mid-air to challenge on-rushing Mohammed Alhassan in goal for Wise and managed to flick the ball into the net for the much needed equalizer to Winfred Dormon’s 62nd minute opener.

The stadium erupted with Hearts fans cheering their side for more goals especially as the team pressed for a winner, with Wise reeling in defence.

Moments before the equalizer, it was Kumasi Asante Kotoko fans who had turned up in great numbers under the guise of ‘Friends of Eleven Wise’ whose voices rose higher in cheering the Western Show Boys, but with the equalizer came a bang from the Hearts end.

When it came to the shootout, each side converted three of the first set of five kicks, while Hearts converted the sixth and seventh, with Wise missing out on their final kick.


Story by Isaac Yeboah/ Myjoyonline.com