Hearts of Oak have taken a two-goal advantage in the first leg of their 2021/22 Caf Confederation Cup playoffs tie against JS Saoura.
Goals from Salifu Ibrahim and Isaac Agyenim Boateng ensured the Ghana champions were comfortable 2-0 winners over the Algerian side at the Accra Sports Stadium Sunday afternoon.
JS Saoura finished the game with ten men as goalkeeper Zakaria Saidi was sent off later in the game.
The Phobians will travel to Algeria for the second leg on December 5 with a two-goal cushion, unlike their 1-0 advantage to Wydad Club Athletic in the Champions League.
The hosts got an early chance under three minutes to have taken the lead, but their lead marksman Kofi Kordzi blazed over the bar.
Daniel Afriyie Barnieh, who has been Hearts of Oak’s danger in the game, teed up Salifu Ibrahim brilliantly to arrow into the near post for the opener after 16 minutes.
The Ghana champions dominated the Algerians throughout the remainder of the first half.
JS Saoura had a good time with the ball from the hour mark but Hearts of Oak defended brilliantly to calm things before scoring a second.
Substitute Isaac Agyenim Boateng scored a deserved second for the hosts from a William Dankyi cut-back with 19 minutes to the end of the game.
JS Saoura goalkeeper Saidi was sent off after a second booking in the 74th minute following a foul on Daniel Afriyie at the right corner area.
Hearts of Oak cruised to a comfortable 2-0 win after 90 minutes.
By Adamu Benin Abdul Karim | www.sportyafrica.com
