By Sedara Oluwadara
Former African giants Hearts of Oak from Ghana were humbled 3-0 by Real Bamako of Mali on Saturday in a CAF Confederation Cup last 32 first leg.
The home side led 2-0 at half-time and completed the win 15 minutes from time to leave the Accra outfit with a difficult second leg task next Sunday.
Ibourahima Sidibe opened the scoring after just 11 minutes and Denis Korsah conceded an own goal before the break.
After Hearts twice came close to reducing the deficit, Cheickna Diakite was given time and space by the tiring Ghanaians to net the third goal in Bamako.
Scoring three times will boost Real morale in the African equivalent of the UEFA Europa League as they failed to score at home or away in a preliminary tie settled by a penalty shootout.
