Ghana Premier League side Heart of Lions defeated Division Two club True Life Football Academy 3:2 in the MTN FA Cup Round 16 at the Nii Adjei Kraku Sports Complex on Sunday.
The victory propels the Kpando-based side into a place in the last eight (quarter-final) stage of the competition.
A brace from forward Michael Ephson and another from skipper Ebenezer Abban while Issaka and Wisdom scored for True Life Football Academy.
The game started with intense pressure from the home side, eagerly pressing for the first home.
However, it was the Lions who capitalized on their experience to open the score before the first-half break.
Ephson was left unmarked in the penalty box when he calmly tapped in Moses Ayidem’s cross in the 32nd minute.
Minutes after, True Life responded beautifully from the same goal when Kyeremeng’s cross was timely connected by Issaka to make it 1-1 in the 40th minute.
With a minute left to play, Ebenezer Abban restored the lead for the Lions after converting from the spot with a 2-1 advantage in the first half.
Back from recess, Ephson grabbed his brace and the Lions’ third in the 72nd minute.
True Life managed to pull one back through Wisdom in the closing moments of the game.
Heart of Lions held on to their lead despite continuous attempts from True Life to draw level.
Assistant coach for Heart of Lions, Daniel Nii Adjei, lauded his charges for their hard-fought victory.
