Accra Hearts of Oak are cobbling together an amazing continental cup run that’s defying all expectations placed upon this team.

Hearts have been poor domestically, languishing in the bottom rungs of the league log. In Africa, though, they continue to remain the toast of all Ghanaians.

Hearts beat Mali’s Djoliba 2-1 in Bamako yesterday to take a giant step towards entering the money zone of the competition. This was despite a red card to skipper Robin Gnagne that should have had a heavy toll on the team.

Playing away in Africa is not the easiest thing, but Hearts have now won their last two. In-form Gilbert Fiamenyo put them ahead in the 55th minute, calmly controlling an aerial pass from October to slot into an empty net.

Paul Acquah doubled the lead a short while later, silencing the jam packed stadium. The Malians were able to pull one back, after Gnagne’s red card doubled the pressure on Hearts, who eventually buckled.

Still, they held on to pick a valuable away victory, putting them in good stead for the return leg in a fortnight. Hearts would need to see that tie through though, after witnessing Kotoko buckle despite picking up an impressive away result.

Hearts have proven to be a different proposition so far though, at least in the Confederations Cup. The second leg takes place at the Accra Sports Stadium on May 3rd, with a favourable result putting the Ghanaians through to the money zone of the competition.