Accra Hearts of Oak picked up a confidence-boosting 3-1 win over Zilina Africa in a pre-season friendly as they continue preparations for the upcoming 2025/26 campaign.
The Phobians took early control of the game with aggressive pressing and slick passing, and it didn’t take long for them to find the breakthrough. Kwabena Boateng finished off a flowing team move to put Hearts ahead.
Zilina Africa grew into the match and were rewarded for their efforts when they earned a penalty after a foul in the box. The resulting spot kick was calmly converted to bring the game level at 1-1.
Hearts responded quickly after the break. Wayo powered home a header from a corner to restore the lead, and the Ghanaian giants didn’t take their foot off the pedal. A foul near the edge of the box later handed them a set-piece opportunity, which Karikari converted in style with a superb free-kick to make it 3-1.
The performance underlined key positives for Hearts—sharp attacking play, solid organisation, and mental strength—as they continue to build momentum ahead of the new season.
