Hearts of Oak: laggards in the GPL title chase

Audio By Carbonatix

Fresh from their Super Clash conquest of Asante Kotoko, Hearts of Oak walked out of the tunnel at the University of Ghana Stadium, facing Berekum Chelsea with renewed optimism.

Conned by last week's gutsy performance in the over Asante Kotoko, the fans turned up in their numbers, too, expecting a win.

When Martin Karikari tested Chelsea keeper Eric Ofori-Antwi moments after Wayo missed his cross by a whisker, it seemed Hearts would do everything to win.

The first ten minutes reinforced that belief among fans. Half chances, multiple shots at goal, and good saves.

But as the game progressed, optimism gave way to anxiety.

These were not Britain's generals from the Falklands War, but the post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among Hearts fans was just as strong.

You could even touch it if you dared to. But there were moments of hope, too.

Ten minutes before the break, Baba Adamu's effort was cleared on the goal line by Seidu Mohammed. Then in the second half, Mawuli Wayo missed two golden chances; first, firing wide from a counterattack, and another on the goal line.

What that second miss did was heighten fan PTSD to never-before-seen levels.

And so it was that Hearts, like a condemned man facing the executioner’s block, took a slow, painful walk towards inevitable death - a draw.

The draw leaves Hearts within 5 points of league leaders Medeama S.C., but a closer look at their numbers does not inspire hope in the title race.

Sunday's draw with Chelsea means Hearts have now failed to score in 11 of their 23 matches this season.

It is a record they share with Berekum Chelsea, Young Apostles, and Holy Stars.

Only Hohoe United (12) and Eleven Wonders (13) have failed to score in more games.

In contrast, their title rivals have only failed to score in 6 (Kotoko), Medeama (4), and (9) Gold Stars.

In terms of goals scored and matches won, Hearts are still behind their contemporaries. Defending champions Bibiani Gold Stars have won the most games by any team (13), followed by league leaders Medeama (12), while Hearts, Kotoko, and Aduana are all on 10 wins.

With 16 goals scored in 23 matches, Hearts are the least potent in the title race. Medeama (32), Kotoko (30), and Gold Stars (25) have all scored more goals than the Phobians.

So, while it is true that goals are at a premium in the Ghana Premier League, others have proven that it can be done.

Hearts are just not good at finding the back of the net.

In fact, only Eleven Wonders (14) have scored fewer goals than Hearts of Oak in the league.

Hearts' only saving grace, if any, is that they do not concede either. That is why they have won as many games as they have drawn – 10. Their tally of 10 draws is the most by any team in the division.

Curiously, only two teams in the league have won more matches than Hearts – Medeama (2) and Gold Stars (3) have won more matches than the Phobians.

If only they could find a way to convert stalemates into victories, they might yet have a real chance of winning the league.

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