Ghana Premier League kicks off Friday: Hohoe United face Hearts in baptism of fire
The 2025/26 Ghana Premier League bursts into life this Friday with a mouth-watering David-versus-Goliath showdown as giants Accra Hearts of Oak welcome debutants Hohoe Stars to the Accra Sports Stadium.
All eyes will be on the Phobians, who look revitalised under new boss Mas-Ud Didi Dramani who has injected fresh firepower into the side since taking charge in June, with the team scoring in every pre-season fixture.
Under the guidance of the seasoned tactician, Hearts have already lifted both the Gbese Mantse Homowo Cup and the Democracy Cup, and narrowly missed out on the GHALCA Top Four crown.
Their impressive run of form will raise the hopes of the Hearts faithful that the upcoming season holds great promise as they aim to end their league title drought.
Tough debut
For newly promoted Hohoe Stars, they could hardly have imagined a tougher baptism: a first-ever top-flight fixture against one of the most decorated clubs in Ghanaian football history.
The team, owned by John Peter Amewu, was a project launched two years ago by the former Energy Minister and MP for Hohoe after purchasing former topflight side Liberty Professionals.
A quick rebrand followed in June 2023 and their gamble has paid off in spectacular fashion. Dominant in Zone Three of last season’s Access Bank Division One League, Hohoe United finished five points clear of Port City, leaving traditional clubs such as Great Olympics, Okwawu United and Attram De Visser trailing in their wake.
Now, they step onto the grand stage with a tricky opening week fixture against a revitalised Hearts at their fortress in Accra.
The drama continues on Saturday when defending champions Bibiani Gold Stars and FA Cup winners Asante Kotoko enter the fray.
Gold Stars, under coach Stephen Frimpong Manso, stunned the nation last term by clinching a historic first-ever league title, before adding the GHALCA Top Four trophy for good measure last month.
They begin their title defence at Bibiani Dun’s Park against Bechem United.
Kotoko, meanwhile, are brimming with confidence. Karim Zito’s men swept through pre-season silverware, bagging the President’s Cup, Toyota Cup in South Africa and then toppling Gold Stars at Bibiani to lift the Super Cup.
Their 2025/26 credentials will be put under the microscope immediately with a tricky trip to Berekum Chelsea, just days before embarking on their CAF Confederation Cup campaign.
Sunday sees the rest of the league join the action, with runners-up Kpando Heart of Lions hosting Dreams FC, while Basake Holy Stars entertain Legon Cities (formerly Techiman Eleven Wonders).
Vision FC welcome former champions FC Samartex 1996 to Tema, Young Apostles face Medeama, Aduana FC travel north to meet Karela United in Tamale and Nations FC square off with premiership returnees Swedru All Stars at the Kwame Kyei Sports Complex, Abrankese.
