Real Tamale United (RTU) scored late on Friday night at the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium to hand Hearts of Oak a 1-0 defeat in the first game of the 2023/24 Ghana Premier League.

Owusu Afriyie’s stoppage-time winner means the ‘Pride of the North’ have now beaten the Phobians in a fourth consecutive game in the last three seasons.

A first half fairly dominated by the home side ended goalless, with a number of chances coming up the way of RTU.

Hearts of Oak showed some level of improvement in the second half following changes in formation and personnel.

It looked like the game was going to end in a goalless draw in the capital of the Northern Region but the hosts dug deep to get the winner.

Owusu Afriyie capitalised on the misjudgement of goalkeeper Richard Attah to head in a corner to give the home crowd the winning goal. It was poor defensive work from the Phobians resulting in the goal.

Hearts of Oak will next host Nsoatreman in the second round while RTU play as guests to Bofoakwa Tano.