Hearts of Oak are the 2024 Gbese Mantse Homowo Charity Peace Cup champions after beating Kpando Heart of Lions 8-7 on penalties after it finished 1-1 in regulation time- in a game they trailed until the close moments.
Before the commencement of the main action, Ga Gbese Mantse Nii Ayi-Bonte II and his royal entourage made a way to the pitch and gave a very good kickoff and waved everyone present at the Ohene Gyan Stadium.
Coach Aboubakar Ouattara's starting XI comprised of eight new signings; goalkeeper Benjamin Asare, Michael Awuah Mensah, Asamoah Boateng Afriyie, Samuel Amofa, Mawuli Wayo, Kwame Boateng and others.
On the part of the Lions, coach Bashiru Hayford also paraded a strong line up that had his captain Ebenezer Abban, goalkeeper Lawrence Osei, new signing Kwadwo Obeng Jr who comes in with so much experience and more.
It didn't take long for Heart of Lions to snatch the lead through Kwadwo Obeng Jr- who scored against his former in just three minutes from the blast of the referee's whistle.
The 'Phobians' made some incursions after going down in an attempt to get the leveller but couldn't make it count as it finished goalless at half.
In the second half, Hearts of Oak returned on an explosive note with some series of counter breaks but Kwame Boateng had his two early strikes checked by goalkeeper Lawrence Osei.
The Giant Killers came so close to doubling their lead in the last fifteen minutes but Kwadwo Obeng had his strong drive parried away by goalkeeper Benjamin Asare to a wasted corner kick.
With just two minutes to full time, Hearts of Oak finally got the equalizer through substitute Mohammed Hussein who rebounded into the net after Ransford Mensah's free kick went off the crossbar.
The game finished 1-1 after full time and Hearts of Oak went on to win 8-7 on penalty shootouts.
