Hearts of Oak secured a 3-1 victory against Togolese champions AC Semassi FC in a preseason friendly at the Stade Municipal de Sokodé. This marked Hearts of Oak’s first match since arriving in Togo for their pre-season tour.
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The game started cautiously, with both teams hesitant to attack due to unfamiliarity with each other’s playstyles. However, the deadlock was broken in the 40th minute when Asamoah Boateng Afriyie, a recent signing from Nations FC, found the net for Hearts of Oak. Just five minutes later, Martin Karikari doubled the lead, giving the Phobians a comfortable 2-0 advantage at halftime.
In the second half, AC Semassi FC improved and managed to pull one back late in the game. However, Isaac Frimpong quickly responded for Hearts of Oak, restoring their two-goal lead and sealing the 3-1 win.
Coach Aboubakar Ouattara will likely take valuable insights from this match as the team prepares for their next preseason encounter against Togo champions ASKO Kara. Hearts of Oak continue their preparations in Togo, aiming to fine-tune their squad ahead of the upcoming season.
