Real Tamale United (RTU) came from behind to upset Hearts of Oak 2-1 on Sunday, ensuring their place in the Ghana Premier League (GPL) with one game remaining.
The 2022/23 GPL match-day 33 victory at the Accra Sports Stadium means the ‘Pride of the North’ achieved a season sweep against the Phobians having defeated them 1-0 in Tamale in the first round.
Scorer of the Tamale winner, Manaf Umar believed he had netted in the 13th minute only to have the linesman signal on for offside and an accompanying yellow card from referee Foster Bastiours.
Linda Mtange broke the stalemate in the 35th minute after Suraj Seidu set him up with a wonderful ball.
https://twitter.com/startimesghana/status/1665399004564185090?s=20
However, two minutes into the second half, Manaf scored against his former team once more to restore parity. The attacker arrived just in time to prod home after goalkeeper Richard Attah denied Mohammed Alhassan Mankuyeli’s initial effort.
Abdul Manaf arrived just in time to punish the Hearts defense!@HeartsOfOakGH 1 : 2 @RTUfcOfficial
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— StarTimes Ghana (@startimesghana) June 4, 2023
RTU took a 2-1 lead in the 80th minute when Stephen Dankwah Badu sent a shot into the ceiling after the ball dropped his way as a result of centre-back Robert Addo Sowah’s poor reaction to a Baba Kushibo cross from the right.
Stephen Badu Dankwa deepened the woes of Hearts!@HeartsOfOakGH 1 : 2 @RTUfcOfficial
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— StarTimes Ghana (@startimesghana) June 4, 2023
Hearts played with a numerical advantage during the additional time of 10 minutes after Hafiz Abdulai was dismissed, but they were unable to capitalize on it to tie the match.
Now on 46 points, RTU move into 9th place in the 18-team league standings.
Hearts, who have now lost four consecutive league games, are on 45 points and fall to 11th place. The Phobians are currently mathematically threatened with relegation. They will be demoted if they suffer another defeat in their season-ending trip to Berekum Chelsea, while Accra Lions, Great Olympics, Karela United, Legon Cities, and Tamale City win.
