Hearts of Oak faced a stunning 0-1 defeat to Basake Holy Stars on the opening weekend of the Ghana Premier League. The Premier League debutants delivered a shock win in a nearly empty Accra Sports Stadium, catching Hearts off guard in a match that quickly turned dramatic.
The game’s only goal came just two minutes in, courtesy of Prince Tweneboah. The Holy Stars centre-forward pounced on a defensive error, nodding the ball into the net from close range. Kelvin Osei Asibey’s clever flick created the opportunity, leaving the Hearts defense scrambling to recover from the early setback.
Stunned by the quick goal, Hearts of Oak appeared unsettled, committing a series of mistakes in the minutes that followed. In the 12th minute, midfielder Samuel Amofah was booked for a reckless two-footed challenge, reflecting the team’s growing frustration. Just moments later, Amofah squandered a chance to level the score, missing a free header from Raphael Amponsah’s cross.
Hearts continued to push for an equalizer, creating multiple opportunities to score. One of the clearest came in the 20th minute when Holy Stars goalkeeper Abdul Wahab collided with his captain, Ennis Boadi, spilling the ball into the path of Mawuli Wayo. Wayo, however, failed to convert, his hurried attempt striking the upright of an open goal.
The visitors nearly doubled their advantage in the 27th minute when Stephen Awuah Baffour broke free for a one-on-one with Hearts goalkeeper Benjamin Asare. Baffour’s tame effort was easily saved by Asare, who was making his debut for Hearts of Oak after transferring from Great Olympics.
As the first half drew to a close, Basake Holy Stars continued to threaten. Aboagye Dacosta had a golden opportunity to extend their lead in the 42nd minute but shot straight at Asare from inside the penalty area, much to the relief of the Hearts supporters.
With his side trailing and time running out in the first half, Hearts coach Aboubakar Ouattara made a bold move, introducing Theophilus Collinson and Mohammed Huseini in place of Salim Adams and Ramzey Abdul Yusif. The substitutions had an immediate impact, bringing fresh energy and dynamism to the Phobians’ play.
The changes almost paid off immediately, with substitute Hamza Issa going close in the 44th minute. After a well-executed build-up involving the new substitutes, Issa’s shot narrowly missed the target, a reminder of the attacking threat that Hearts of Oak could still pose.
As the second half began, Hearts of Oak continued to press forward, determined to find an equalizer. They moved the ball with greater pace and precision, stretching the Holy Stars’ defense and creating several promising openings. However, a combination of wasteful finishing and resilient defending from the debutants kept the Phobians at bay.
Basake Holy Stars, for their part, managed the game well, keeping their shape and discipline. They absorbed pressure and looked to counter-attack whenever the opportunity arose. Tweneboah, who had scored the early goal, remained a constant threat, using his speed and strength to unsettle the Hearts defense.
Hearts of Oak’s best chance of the second half came in the 67th minute when Mohammed Alhassan’s curling free-kick was tipped over the bar by an alert Wahab in goal. As the minutes ticked away, Hearts continued to pile on the pressure, but the Holy Stars defense stood firm.
The final whistle blew to confirm a historic win for Basake Holy Stars, who announced their arrival in the top flight with a memorable victory. For Hearts of Oak, it was a frustrating start to the season, with plenty to ponder for coach Ouattara as his side struggled to convert their dominance into goals.
The loss will raise questions about Hearts’ defensive frailties and the team’s lack of clinical finishing, especially as they seek to challenge for the league title this season. For Basake Holy Stars, however, the win was a statement of intent, proving they are not in the Premier League to make up the numbers. The debutants’ solid performance and tactical discipline suggest they could be a force to be reckoned with as the season unfolds.
