Nations FC beat Hearts of Oak in Tuba
Nations FC secured a historic victory over Hearts of Oak, defeating the Phobians 1-0 for the first time since their promotion to the Ghana Premier League. The match, played on Thursday, April 3, 2025, at the Tuba Astroturf, saw Black Stars defender Razak Simpson emerge as the hero for the visitors. Simpson delivered a thunderbolt strike that handed Hearts their seventh defeat of the 2024/25 season.
The encounter began with both teams displaying attacking intent in a frantic opening spell. Hearts of Oak, forced to play at Tuba due to ongoing renovations at the University of Ghana Stadium, held 48% possession and sought to impose their rhythm early on. However, Nations FC, with a slight edge in possession at 52%, looked dangerous on the counterattack, signalling their intent to exploit any defensive lapses.
The first half ended goalless despite both sides creating opportunities. Hearts registered 16 total shots throughout the match, with six on target, while Nations FC managed 13 attempts, four of which tested the Phobians’ goalkeeper. The home side’s wastefulness in front of goal would prove costly, as their inability to convert chances kept the game level at the break.
The decisive moment arrived in the 64th minute when Razak Simpson capitalised on a poor clearance by Hearts of defence. Controlling the ball with composure, the Nations FC defender unleashed a powerful volley that rocketed past the helpless Kwesi Nketia who was in post for the Phobians, igniting celebrations among the visiting supporters. The stunning strike not only broke the deadlock but also etched Simpson’s name into Nations FC’s history books as the scorer of their maiden league win against the Accra giants.
Hearts responded with urgency, ramping up their attacking pressure in search of an equalizer. They won five corners and forced six crucial saves from the Nations FC goalkeeper, who stood firm under relentless pressure. Despite their efforts, the Phobians’ finishing woes persisted, a recurring theme that head coach Aboubakar Ouattara later lamented. Nations FC, meanwhile, remained a threat from set pieces, earning three corners of their own, though they focused on preserving their slender lead.
The match grew increasingly tense as Hearts’ frustrations boiled over, resulting in three yellow cards, while Nations FC picked up two bookings. As the clock ticked into eight minutes of added time, the home side threw everything forward, but Nations FC’s resolute defending ensured they held on for a famous victory.
This defeat extended Hearts of Oak’s winless run to four matches, piling further pressure on Coach Ouattara. Post-match, he acknowledged the strength of Nations FC, stating, “I told you Nations FC is a strong side, and today, unfortunately, we lose. The same disaster in our team—the ability to score—continues.” The result saw Hearts slip to sixth place with 37 points, falling eight points behind league leaders Asante Kotoko.
For Nations FC, the triumph marked a significant milestone in their young Premier League journey. The win propelled them back into the top four, underlining their strong campaign and boosting their confidence ahead of future challenges. Simpson’s sensational piledriver will be remembered as the moment Nations FC finally overcame their Accra rivals, signaling their growing stature in Ghanaian football.
As the Ghana Premier League season progresses, this result could prove a turning point for both clubs—Nations FC building momentum, and Hearts of Oak searching for answers to rediscover their winning form.