Accra Hearts of Oak beat togolese second tier side Etoile Filante by 1-0 in an international friendly game on Friday.

A first half strike from Mitchelle Sarpong was enough to secure the victory for the Phobian.

Kim Grant surprisingly left Joseph Esso out of the starting line up by giving Bernard Arthur the nod.

Hearts of Oak started the game brightly but couldn’t break the Etoile Filante.

Christopher Bonney cane close with a free kick but his effort went wife.

The home side had their first shot on target but Richmond Ayi produced a great save to denied them.

Bernard Arthur also fluffed a great chance for Hearts of Oak in the 30th minute.

Hearts of Oak finally got the opener through Mitchelle Sarpong, the youngster capitalized from a confusion in the penalty box to give the phobians the lead.

Etoile Filante came back from the recess more determined and could have grab the equalizer but Richmond Ayi once again denied them.

Kim Grant made series of changes in his side has looked to test all the members of his squad.

Substitute Joseph Esso nearly made it 2-0 in the 85th minute, but he blew the chance away after going round off the keeper.

The home side nearly snatched the equalizer late in the game but a point blank save by the impressive Richmond Ayi made sure Hearts of Oak finished the game with a clean sheet.

This is how Hearts lineup for the game

Richmond Ayi
Christopher Bonney
William Dankyi
Robert Addo
Mohammed Alhassan
Benjamin Affutu
Charles McCarthy
Mitchelle Sarpong
Bernard Arthur
Manaf Umar
Dominic Eshun