Hearts of Oak’s season took another hit on Thursday night as they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Nations FC at the Tuba Astroturf. The match was a tightly contested affair, with the decisive moment coming in the 57th minute when Razak Simpson scored a brilliant first-time volley to give Nations FC the lead.
Hearts of Oak dominated possession with 48% and outshot their opponents 16 to 13, but they struggled to find the back of the net. Despite their patient buildup play, they were let down by their final pass and finishing in front of goal.
Nations FC, on the other hand, were content to sit back and hit Hearts on the counter. They had fewer shots on target than Hearts but made their chances count, with Simpson’s goal proving to be the difference. Their solid defensive display ensured they walked away with all three points.
Hearts’ frustrations were evident as they picked up three yellow cards and failed to convert any of their five corners. In contrast, Nations FC looked dangerous from their set pieces and capitalized on their opportunities.
The loss extends Hearts of Oak’s winless run to four matches, increasing the pressure on manager Aboubakar Ouattara. They now find themselves eight points behind league leaders Asante Kotoko, making it difficult to close the gap.
Meanwhile, Nations FC’s impressive victory moves them back into the top four and establishes them as surprise contenders in the title race. Their strong performance against Hearts of Oak highlights their potential to challenge for the championship this season.
