Accra Hearts of Oak defeated Accra Lions in Week 7 of the BetPawa Premier League on Thursday, November 17, 2022, at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Slavko Matic is undefeated after four league games in his maiden season in the BetPawa Premier League. He will play his fifth game against Dreams FC before the World Cup break.
Slavko Matic has only played in one draw in the league; he has won the other three games. Accra Hearts of Oak have conceded three goals and scored six under their new coach.
Slavko defeated Bibiani Gold Stars, Nsoatreman FC, and the in-form Accra Lions last Thursday afternoon at the Accra Sports Stadium, after drawing with Karela United the previous week.
Accra Lions, the home side, had five wins in a row, but Slavko Matic ended their winning streak. A brilliant left-foot shot by Gladson Awako in the 23rd minute of the first half gave Slavko Matic’s team the lead.
Gladson Awako, the team’s seasoned captain, was issued a red card by referee Emmanuel Otoo in the 28th minute of the first half for a challenge on Michel Otu.
Accra Hearts of Oak led by one goal at the half and had a player sent off, but they played the second half with a man down and two goals scored by Suraj Seidu and Salifu Ibrahim to secure a 3-1 win.
Slavko Matic explained in a post-match interview with StarTimes how he was able to make his team react after their captain, Gladson Awako, was shown a red card.
“It’s never easy to play a game with ten players,” he explained, “but we reorganised very quickly, we made tactical changes immediately, we started to play 4-4-1, we changed Kaaba with a winger, we needed a winger after that, we needed to support full-backs, we supported, and at the end, we scored two goals, and I think we deserve it.”
