We lost concentration towards final moments of Hearts of Oak loss – Holy Stars coach Abdulai Gazale

Home Home Latest News Latest News World Footaball World Footaball Ghana Players Abroad Ghana Players Abroad Ghana Premier League Ghana Premier League National Teams National Teams Videos Videos Black Stars Black Stars Transfer News & Rumours Transfer News & Rumours Kotoko Kotoko Hearts Of Oak Hearts Of Oak We lost concentration towards final moments of Hearts of Oak loss – Holy Stars coach Abdulai Gazale 23 October 2026 Ghana Premier League Share this with Email Share this with Facebook Share this with Twitter Share this with Whatsapp Image caption Abdulai Gazale Basake Holy Stars coach Abdulai Gazale believes a lapse in concentration towards the closing stages cost his side a point in their 1-0 defeat to Hearts of Oak.

Martin Karikari struck in the 82nd minute at the University of Ghana Stadium on Friday to settle a tight Ghana Premier League Matchday 8 encounter and extend Hearts’ winning run to three matches.

Holy Stars had defended resolutely for much of the contest but failed to maintain their focus as the hosts pushed for a breakthrough.

“Unfortunately, towards the end of the game, I think it was a matter of concentration,” Gazale said after the match.

“To me, we lost concentration, and then we were punished.”

The defeat came despite Holy Stars’ efforts to limit Hearts’ attacking threat by adopting a medium defensive block and looking for opportunities to counter-attack.

Gazale acknowledged that his side had performed reasonably well defensively but was disappointed by their inability to translate their first-half chances into goals.

The result leaves Holy Stars without a point from their away matches this season, having suffered four defeats on the road.

For Hearts, Karikari’s decisive finish secured another important victory under coach Nebojša Kapor and lifted the Phobians to the top of the league table, at least temporarily.

Hearts have now collected 17 points, three more than Medeama and Samartex, who have played one game fewer.