GPL: Heart of Lions roar to top spot as Holy Stars shine against Young Apostles

Kpando Heart of Lions delivered a stunning performance to edge defending champions, FC Samartex 1996, with a hard-fought 1-0 victory at the Nsenkyire Sports Arena, Samreboi, propelling them to the summit of the Ghana Premier League table.

The Lions’ hero of the day was Nana Kwame Oppong, whose fourth-minute strike—courtesy of a perfectly timed assist from Kwadwo Obeng Jnr—silenced the home crowd and shattered FC Samartex's aura of home invincibility. 

Despite relentless pressure from the hosts, Coach Bashir Hayford’s charges stood resolute to record their fourth win in five matches.

Meanwhile, FC Samartex's struggles deepened as they suffered their third consecutive defeat, slipping to 10th place.

Vision win at home

In Tema, Vision FC triumphed in a pulsating 3-2 showdown against former champions, Medeama SC, at the Nii Adjei Kraku II Stadium.

Vision FC took an early lead through Joshua Rhule in the fourth minute, exciting the home fans as he lobbed the ball expertly over Medeama’s goalkeeper, Adams Jabal. 

Substitute Frank Abora Duku doubled the lead on the stroke of half-time, sending the home side into the break with a 2-0 lead.

The second half was nothing short of a roller coaster as the home side squandered a penalty opportunity in the 59th minute, with Doku's spot-kick saved by Jabal. Medeama, down to 10 men after Emmanuel Cudjoe’s red card, mounted an incredible comeback with goals from Osah Tetteh and Michael Sarpong in the 67th and 82nd minutes, respectively, which saw them draw level 2-2.

However, Vision FC’s Emmanuel Kyei delivered late drama, scoring the winner in the sixth minute of added time to seal a vital victory for the hosts, ending their recent poor form.

At the Ampain A.A.K. II Sports Arena, Basake Holy Stars cruised to their biggest win of the season, thrashing Young Apostles 3-0 in a battle of league debutants. Goals from Prince Opoku (51st minute), Issah Yakubu (60th), and Prince Tweneboah (90th) propelled Holy Stars to mid-table safety, leaving the Apostles languishing in 15th place after back-to-back losses.

Elsewhere, Legon Cities’ woes continued as Bechem United handed them a 2-0 defeat at the University of Ghana Stadium.

Francis Acquah’s first-half strike and Augustine Okrah’s stoppage-time goal from a well-executed indirect free-kick in the home side’s penalty box secured Bechem United’s fourth win in five games, elevating them to third on the table while the Royals remain rooted at the bottom with just 11 points from 13 matches.

The Golden City Park hosted a fiercely contested Bono derby, where Berekum Chelsea and Aduana FC played out a goalless draw. 

At the Nana Konamansah II Park, Nsoatreman FC and Dreams FC shared the spoils in a 1-1 stalemate. Dreams FC’ Joseph Esso struck early in the seventh minute, but Collins Kofi Kudjoe restored parity for the hosts in the 57th.

Karela United and Bibiani Gold Stars also settled for a 1-1 stalemate at the Aliu Mahama Stadium, Tamale. Meanwhile, Accra Lions roared to a narrow 1-0 win over Nations FC at the WAFA Park, Sogakope, with Lucky Nwafor’s first-half goal securing only their second victory of the campaign.