Isaac Mensah's first-half strike has ensured Hearts of Oak have a leg in the 'Group Stages' of the CAF Champions League after overcoming Wydad Athletic Club, WAC at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The Phobians beat WAC 1-0 to hold an advantage going in the second leg in Morocco on October 24.
In a game, the Phobians needed a win to make the reverse fixture a mere formality they rose to the occasion.
However, it was the Moroccans who started brightly asking all the questions in the opening minutes with Samuel Boadu's charges struggling to settle into the game.
WAC called goalkeeper Richard Attack in the early minutes and he responded to the challenge.
Hearts of Oak were forced to make an early substitution due to the injury of Raddy Ovuoka who was replaced by William Dankyi.
The Phobians came close to breaking the deadlock in the 35th minute when Kofi Kordzi released Daniel Afriyie through on goal with the latter being obstructed the goalkeeper Ahmed Tagnaouti and Salifu Ibrahim followed with a rebound which was parried by the keeper.
However, it did not take long as the home side finally found the breakthrough.
A sweet cross from Salifu Ibrahim on the stroke of halftime was connected home by Isaac Mensah.
GET IN THERE ISAAC MENSAH 👊🏿 pic.twitter.com/P7CJoPdB2U
— Felix Romark (@FelixRomark) October 17, 2021
Back from the recess, the Phobians piled pressure on the visitors in need of the second goal but they were wasteful in front of goal.
Salifu Ibrahim missed a glorious opportunity to add to his side's tally when being fed by Kofi Kordzi inside the box but he blasted his shot wide and high.
Samuel Boadu threw in more men, bringing on Salim Adams, Enock Esubonteng and Victor Aidoo to aid his outfit find the all-important second goal.
Despite them playing their part, the Phobians couldn't double their lead.
Hearts of Oak were provided with a scary moment in the dying embers of the game after the visitors found the equaliser only for the referee to ruled it out as offside.