Hearts of Oak’s celebration of their Homowo Charity Peace Cup victory over Heart of Lions was overshadowed by the tragic death of one of their devoted supporters during the match. The Phobians, who triumphed 8-7 on penalties, are now mourning the loss of a fan identified as Nii, who collapsed during the game and later passed away.
The match, held at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday, was part of the Homowo festivities, organized by the Gbese Mantse. The atmosphere was tense from the start, with Hearts of Oak falling behind early after their former forward, Kojo Obeng Junior, scored for Heart of Lions just three minutes into the game.
Despite Lions dominating much of the first half, Hearts of Oak regained their footing in the second half and equalized late in the game through a well-taken strike by Mohammed Hussein. The match was forced into a penalty shootout, where Hearts emerged victorious, thanks to a crucial save by goalkeeper Benjamin Asare.
However, the jubilation in the stands was cut short when Nii, a long-time supporter of the club, collapsed around the 37th minute of the match. He was immediately rushed to Ridge Hospital by fellow fans but was sadly pronounced dead upon arrival.
The tragic news was confirmed by Elvis Herman Hesse, the Chairman of Hearts of Oak’s National Chapters Committee. “It was around the 37th minute of the game that we heard that one of our supporters had collapsed. Some of our supporters’ leaders took him to the hospital, and we were waiting to hear positive news, but unfortunately, he passed on,” Hesse told Sports Obama TV. “He was a very staunch supporter, and I’ve known him for a very long time. But it’s confirmed that our colleague collapsed and died.”
The unfortunate incident has cast a somber mood over what was supposed to be a day of celebration for the club. As the Phobians prepare to kickstart their 2024/25 Ghana Premier League campaign against newly promoted Basake Holy Stars, the memory of Nii will undoubtedly weigh heavily on the hearts of the players and supporters alike.
Hearts of Oak’s victory in the Homowo Cup may have added another trophy to their cabinet, but the loss of a beloved fan serves as a poignant reminder of the deep connection between the club and its supporters. The entire Hearts of Oak community now mourns the loss of one of their own, as they reflect on a day that brought both joy and sorrow.