Accra Hearts of Oak’s faltering title challenge suffered another blow after the Phobians were held to a frustrating 0–0 draw by Basake Holy Stars yesterday, stretching their winless home run to four matches in the Ghana Premier League.
Reduced to 10 men in the second half, Hearts were unable to capitalise on unexpected slips by their title rivals over a dramatic weekend that tightened the race at the top of the table.
The stalemate at the University of Ghana Stadium means that Coach Mas-Ud Didi Dramani’s men have now drawn four consecutive home games without scoring in 2026, a worrying trend that cost them dearly, as both Medeama SC and Bibiani Gold Stars also dropped points.
Instead, the biggest beneficiaries of the weekend were Aduana FC, whose 2–0 victory over the bottom side, Eleven Wonders, in Dormaa-Ahenkro propelled them above Hearts into third place, adding fresh intrigue to the title chase, with nine games remaining.
Medeama wobble continues
League leaders Medeama SC endured another setback after suffering a stunning comeback defeat to Hohoe United at the TNA Stadium in Tarkwa.
The result leaves Medeama winless in five matches, having collected just three points from their last 15, allowing the defending champions, Gold Stars, to cut the gap at the summit to a single point.
Yet, Gold Stars also stumbled. Their impressive four-match winning streak was halted by relegation-threatened Young Apostles, who claimed a 3–1 victory in Wenchi to climb out of immediate danger.
The win lifted Young Apostles to 30 points, two clear of the drop zone, while Hohoe United, buoyed by their shock win over Medeama, rose to 13th place on the same tally and remain unbeaten in four matches during an encouraging debut top-flight campaign.
Kotoko slip in Tamale
Elsewhere, Asante Kotoko slipped to fifth place after a shock 1–0 defeat to Karela United at the Aliu Mahama Stadium in Tamale.
The decisive moment arrived in the 42nd minute when Malik Abubakar struck for Karela just two minutes after Kotoko had been reduced to ten men following Henry Ansu’s dismissal.
The victory lifts Karela to sixth on 38 points, just one behind Kotoko, further intensifying the congested battle for the top positions.
Heart of Lions halted a three-match losing streak with a 1–0 victory over Swedru All Blacks in Kpando, courtesy Michael Ephson’s 34th-minute strike.
The defeat pushed All Blacks back into the relegation zone on 28 points.
Earlier in the round, Nations FC opened the match-week in emphatic fashion with a 3–0 thrashing of Bechem United, while Vision FC extended their remarkable run to seven games unbeaten after defeating Berekum Chelsea 3–1, a result that dragged Chelsea into the relegation zone.
Former champions, FC Samartex 1996 and Dreams FC, shared the spoils in a 0–0 draw at the Nsenkyire Sports Arena in Samreboi.
Hearts frustration continues
For Hearts, however, the weekend ended in familiar frustration.
Determined to bounce back from their defeat to Gold Stars the previous week, the Phobians started brightly but struggled to turn dominance into goals.
Martin Karikari had the first real opportunity in the 29th minute, finishing a slick team move with a low strike that was comfortably gathered by Holy Stars goalkeeper Dubi Kassi Tayi.
The visitors nearly struck moments later when Gideon Quaison’s powerful free-kick seemed destined for the net until Hearts captain Benjamin Asare produced a superb intervention to divert the effort away.
Hearts continued to press, with Emmanuel Amankwah going closest before the break when his volley was blocked inside the box.
The turning point arrived in the 64th minute when defender Kevin Osei Asibey was sent off for hauling down Prince Tweneboah as the last man, leaving the hosts with an uphill task.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, Hearts pushed forward, with Hamza Issah attempting an audacious scissor kick that flew narrowly wide.
Basake nearly snatched victory in the 87th minute when Quaison weaved past three defenders, only for goalkeeper Asare to produce a vital block.
Quaison squandered another late chance in stoppage time, but the final whistle confirmed yet another damaging home stalemate for Hearts, leaving their title ambitions hanging precariously as the season enters its decisive final stretch.
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh