Hearts of Oak’s premier league title chase was given a jolt by Karela United in match day 23 of the BetPawa game at the Crosby Awuah Memorial Park on Saturday.
Two first half goals plus one in the second half saw the Phobians suffer a 3-0 loss at Anyinase much to the chagrin of the traveling fans.
The home side struck as early as the 17th minute through Emmanuel Boakye Owusu to destabilize the visitors.
The record FA Cup holders’ plight was deepened when defender, Konadu Yiadom sent the ball into his own net with 32 minutes played.
The rough times for the former CAF Champions League winners continued with two minutes to the break when left back, Rashid Okine was given the marching off orders.
Karela United increased the tally with three minutes to full time through Richard Berko to put the game beyond the 2004 CAF Confederation Cup winners.
The defeat keeps Hearts of Oak rooted in 4th on 35 points from 23 games with the remaining games to be cleared on Sunday.
Victory in the Kotoko versus Medeama game will plunge the Phobians down the log.
In a related twist, there were rumours that the Phobians engaged in black magic popularly known as “juju” to help them beat Karela United.
The rumour came about when Hearts goalkeeper, Richmond Ayi had his face powdered with a white substance suspected to be “juju” for the entire game.
What engineered the act is yet to be known but the singular act by Ayi is certainly a blot to modern day football.
