Gbese Mantse Homowo Peace Cup: Lions seek revenge against Hearts Sunday
It will be more than just pre-season pride at stake this Sunday when Kpando Heart of Lions lock horns with Accra Hearts of Oak in the 2025 Gbese Mantse Homowo Peace Charity Cup at the Accra Sports Stadium.
For Lions, it is a shot at redemption after last year’s heartbreaker as the Kpando side suffered a 7-8 penalty defeat to the Phobians after a tense 1-1 draw in the inaugural final. Since then, they have shown tremendous improvement, finishing as runners-up in the 2024/25 Ghana Premier League.
They inflicted a 2-0 defeat on the Phobians in the first round, but Hearts hit back 1-0 in the reverse fixture, setting the stage for another tense encounter.
Both clubs are fine-tuning for the upcoming GHALCA Top 4 and the new league season, with fresh signings on show. Lions coach Bashir Hayford could unleash former Hearts forwards,Kwame Obeng Junior and Abednego Tetteh, now spearheading the Kpando side’s attack.
On the opposite bench, Hearts manager Mas-Ud Didi Dramani will parade fresh recruits Ali Mohammed and Frank Abora Duku from Vision FC, alongside marauding wing-back Yaw Amankwah Baafi from Dreams FC.
This time, the Kpando outfit arrive in Accra with renewed belief and serious pedigree, after finishing the season ahead of Hearts by two points, and, therefore, brimming with confidence ahead of the new season next month.
Sunday’s fixture, therefore, offers more than silverware – it is a high-profile litmus test for squad depth, new signings and tactical readiness.
The Gbese Mantse Homowo Peace Cup, spearheaded by His Royal Majesty Nii Ayi-Bonte II, is more than a football spectacle.
A symbolic trophy tour through Ga State communities will precede the match, carrying messages of peace and unity ahead of the Homowo festival, with the National Youth Authority (NYA) backing the event as part of Ghana Youth Festival Month.
NYA boss, Osman Abdulai Ayariga, emphasised the value of using sport as a unifying tool, hence the inclusion of the Homowo Peace Cup in the calendars of activities marking the Ghana Youth Festival Month.
There will be more than just football on the menu on Sunday. There will be live performances from Bukom Banku, Tinny, and King Jerry, promising a carnival atmosphere for fans.
