Safianu Usman endured a frustrating afternoon as he missed a second-half penalty in Hohoe United’s goalless draw with Heart of Lions in a fiercely contested Volta Regional derby at the Hohoe Sports Stadium on Friday.

The home side came agonisingly close to securing a vital victory shortly after the restart when they were awarded a penalty, igniting hopes of a breakthrough in front of their supporters. Captain Safianu Usman stepped up but failed to make the opportunity count, sending his effort high over the bar and allowing Heart of Lions to escape unscathed.

Hohoe United were the more threatening side over the course of the match, creating the clearer chances and registering more shots on target. However, a lack of cutting edge in the final third proved costly as they were repeatedly denied by a well-organised and disciplined Heart of Lions defence.

The visitors, despite enjoying greater possession, found it difficult to translate their control into clear goal-scoring opportunities, with both teams largely cancelling each other out in a tense encounter.

The result leaves Hohoe United hovering dangerously close to the relegation zone, sitting just one place above the drop as pressure continues to mount on their campaign.

The draw extends Lions' steady run of form and keeps them sixth on the Premier League table, with the Kpando-based side content to return home with a valuable point from a challenging away fixture.