Accra Hearts of Oak gaffer Samuel Boadu believes his side need to go a notch higher than their competitors to ensure they defend the Ghana Premier League title.

Boadu was reacting to Hearts’ away defeat to Medeama SC at Tarkwa in a re-scheduled match week 6 encounter.

A late penalty by defender Vincent Atingah condemned Hearts to their second defeat of the season and further dent their chances of defending the title they won last season.

Salt was rubbed in the wound of Hearts of Oak’s when attacker Kwadwo Obeng Jnr was dismissed for a second bookable offense.

Reacting to the result after the game, Samuel Boadu conceded that his side who are now 9 points off the top spot will need to work harder than their main competitors for the title to ensure their title defense.

“Other teams are trying hard, we will try harder (to win the league),” Boadu said.

Hearts of Oak now lie 7th on the Premier League table having accumulated 17 points from 11 games. The Phobians have a game in hand against bitterest rivals Asante Kotoko.