2024/25 GPL Week 1: Holy Stars Shock Hearts of Oak; Kotoko Begin Season With Win Over Karela United – Check The Full Results

Hearts of Oak suffered a shock 0-1 loss to Basake Holy Stars on the opening weekend of the Ghana Premier League.

The Premier League debutants recorded the surprise win in a near-empty Accra Sports Stadium.

Prince Tweneboah scored the decisive goal after just two minutes with a close-range header. The centre-forward profited from some poor defending after Kelvin Osei Asibey generously flicked the ball into his path.

Hearts looked rattled by the goal, making a series of errors as a result. Amidst frustration, midfielder Samuel Amofah was booked for a two-footed challenge after twelve minutes.

Three minutes later, Amofah’s disappointment grew when he missed a free header from Raphael Amponsah’s cross.

Hearts continued probing and should have restored parity when Holy Stars goalkeeper Abdul Wahab spilt the ball following a clash with his captain, Ennis Boadi. However, Mawuli Wayo missed the open goal as his toe-poke came off the upright.

Hearts were nearly punished for their profligacy when Stephen Awuah Baffour went one-on-one with goalkeeper Benjamin Asare after 27 minutes. Baffour’s tame, direct shot was easily gathered by Asare, who was making his Hearts of Oak debut since joining from Olympics.

Holy Stars came close again when Aboagye Dacosta missed from just inside the area. The striker shot straight at Ben Asare when he had the entire goal to aim for in the 42nd minute.

In a desperate move to rescue the game, Hearts coach Aboubakar Ouattara made two substitutions before the interval. Midfielders Salim Adams and Ramzey Abdul Yusif were replaced by Theophilus Collinson and Mohammed Huseini, respectively.

The impact was immediate, as the Phobians moved the ball much quicker, stretching their opponents at will. Within a minute, Hamza Issa went close after a well-worked chance, with the two substitutes combining to set it up.

In the 62nd minute, Holy Stars coach Abdulai Gazale brought on Stephen Baffour Awuah for Eric Ackah.

Moments later, Aboubakar Ouattara responded with two more substitutions: Mawuli Wayo made way for Stephen Appiah, while Hamza Issa was replaced by Isaac Frimpong.

Substitute Isaac Frimpong nearly made an instant impact when he tried to catch Abdul Wahab off his line, but the Holy Stars keeper was equal to the task.

Hearts continued to struggle in front of goal as Kelvin Osei Asibey headed straight into the waiting arms of Abdul Wahab from a Yahaya Adramani cross.

Despite their efforts, the Phobians’ lack of coordination in attack meant they couldn’t sustain momentum or create any meaningful chances.

 

Asante Kotoko begin season with win over Karela United

Forward Albert Amoah scored the only goal for Asante Kotoko as they started the 2024/25 Ghana Premier League with a hard-fought victory over Karela United at the Naa Sheriga Sports Centre in Nalerigu.

The 22-year-old striker met a cut-back with a strike from close range into the roof of the net just around the half-hour mark to put the Porcupines ahead.

Kotoko goalkeeper Mohammed Camara made important saves especially in the second half to deny the hosts an equaliser and keep the advantage intact.

The lead was nearly made comfortable by Peter Amidu whose shot hit the base of the post.

Ultimately, Kotoko’s defense stood firm to claim all three points in their opening match of the campaign.

Proper Narteh Ogum’s side will hope to continue their winning start in their next fixture against Nsoatreman at home.

Meanwhile, Karela seek redemption as they travel for Berekum Chelsea test on Matchday two.

 

 

Gold Stars secures 2-1 win over Legon Cities

Bibiani Gold Stars began their 2024/25 Ghana Premier League campaign with a 2-1 victory over Legon Cities on Sunday afternoon.

Goals from Kumi Attah and Gideon Anaba secured all three points for Gold Stars in a closely contested match. The Bibiani-based team dominated early, with Attah opening the scoring just 3 minutes into the game, giving Gold Stars a first-half lead.

Legon Cities responded in the second half, levelling the score at 1-1 through Dennis Adoma, who finished off a well-executed team move.

Gold Stars, however, regained the lead in the 73rd minute when Gideon Anaba unleashed a long-range strike that beat the goalkeeper, sealing the win for the home side.

The victory puts Gold Stars second on the league table, just behind Nsoatreman on goal difference.

 

Medeama begins life at new TNA stadium with narrow win over Accra Lions

Medeama SC kicked off their Ghana Premier League campaign with a 1-0 victory over Accra Lions at the TNA Stadium in Tarkwa on Sunday, 8th September 2024.

The first half was evenly contested, with both teams showcasing entertaining, end-to-end football.

Accra Lions, in particular, demonstrated why they are regarded as one of the most attractive footballing sides in the league.

However, both teams lacked precision in the final third during the opening 45 minutes.

Lions striker Mohammed Yahaya and Medeama forward Diawise Taylor, a former GPL goal king, had relatively quiet first halves, struggling to make an impact due to strong defensive performances from both sides.

The second half brought more action, and Medeama broke the deadlock in the 56th minute.

Referee Imoro awarded the home side a penalty after Musa Hamzata was adjudged to have committed a handball offence in the box.

Medeama forward Bernardinho Osah Tetteh calmly converted the resulting penalty, giving the hosts their first goal of the new campaign.

Ibrahim Tanko’s boys pressed for an equaliser but were denied by Medeama goalkeeper Appiah Kubi, who produced an incredible save in the 72nd minute to stop substitute Bernard Kesse’s effort.

In the end, Medeama secured all three points, starting their new season with a hard-fought victory.

The win places the Tarkwa-based side fifth on the league table after Matchday 1.

 

 

 

Aduana Stars leave it late to secure a point against Heart of Lions

Aduana Stars salvaged a point with a last-minute equaliser on matchday one of the 2024/25 Ghana Premier League season.

Emmanuel Marfo scored in the 94th minute to level the match for the former league champions, breaking the hearts of Heart of Lions, who had seemed set for victory.

Mustapha Yakubu had earlier given Lions the lead with a stunning free kick in the 75th minute, which looked like the winner as the game drew to a close.

Heart of Lions had their first chance when Abednego Tetteh pounced on a rebound from the Aduana goalkeeper, but the referee ruled the effort offside.

Bashir Hayford’s boys continued to grow stronger as the game progressed, playing some impressive football.

Tetteh missed a glorious opportunity in the 61st minute to put his side ahead.

Aduana, however, pressed on, forcing Lions’ defender Abban to make a decisive block that denied the Dormaa-based club an early goal.

At the other end, Yakubu found himself one-on-one with the Aduana keeper but shot straight into his arms.

Five minutes later, he made amends with a perfectly taken free kick, putting Lions in the lead.

In an attempt to protect their advantage, Bashir Hayford switched personnel to protect the lead, but Aduana Stars got their eventual equaliser to break Lions Hearts as honours were even.

It was their persistence that paid off when Marfo found the back of the net deep into stoppage time, securing a 1-1 draw.

 

 

Nations FC draw goalless with Bechem United

Nations FC and Bechem United played out a goalless draw at the Dr. Kwame Kyei Sports Complex on Saturday in their opening game of the 2024/25 Ghana Premier League.

Both teams didn’t create enough chances to score and pick all three points.

Bechem defender Charles Owusu was sent off six minutes after the hour mark.

Nations FC also had a player red-carded at the same time, as both teams finished the match with ten players.

In their search for their first three points, Nations FC will play away to newly promoted Young Apostles in Wenchi on Saturday.

Bechem United will play against Aduana FC at the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park the same Saturday.

 

 

 

Nsoatreman beat debutants Young Apostles in opener to go top

Nsoatreman FC enjoyed a winning start to the 2024/25 Ghana Premier League season as they beat Young Apostles on Sunday afternoon.

Goals from Mohammed Abdul Rahman and Collins Kudjo sealed all three points for Nsoatreman against the newly promoted side registering a 2-0 score.

The MTN FA Cup champions were the better of the two teams in the early stages of the fixture and should have taken the lead after 27 minutes. However, Rahman fluffed his line.

With just a few minutes away from the break, the forward gave Nsoatreman the lead.

He rose highest in the box to head home the opening goal of the game to give his side the goal before recess.

Just like the first half, Nsoatreman left it late in the second period of the game to double their lead, this time through Kudjo.

Kudjo struck from long range to convert a free kick awarded to his side to wrap up the home victory for Yaw Preko’s men.

The 2-0 win sees Nsoatreman go top of the league.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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