Accra Hearts of Oak endured a frustrating opening to their 2025/26 Ghana Premier League campaign on Friday night, playing out a goalless draw against newcomers Hohoe United at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The Phobians, guided by new head coach Mas-Ud Didi Dramani, entered the match as clear favourites following a strong pre-season but were unable to find a breakthrough against a resilient Hohoe side making its debut in the top flight.
Phobians dominate possession but lack cutting edge
From the onset, Hearts imposed themselves on the game, with midfielder Abdul Karim dictating the tempo from the middle of the park.
His quick passing and control allowed the Phobians to dominate possession, while forward Frank Abora Duku’s movement stretched the Hohoe back line.
Despite their superiority, clear-cut opportunities were hard to come by.
Hohoe United, marshalled at the back by captain Osman Safian, sat deep and closed down spaces in their defensive third, frustrating Hearts’ attacking efforts.
Red card shifts the balance
The match’s turning point came in the 67th minute when Hohoe debutant Solomon Adomako picked up a second yellow card and was sent off, leaving the visitors with ten men for the final stretch.
With the numerical advantage, Hearts pressed relentlessly, sending wave after wave of attacks at the visitors’ goal. However, poor finishing, coupled with Hohoe’s disciplined defending, ensured the Phobians could not convert their dominance into goals.
Safian’s composure in defence proved pivotal, as he led by example to repel Hearts’ late charge and preserve a valuable point in Hohoe United’s first-ever Premier League outing.
Dramani reflects on missed chances
Speaking after the match, Hearts head coach Mas-Ud Didi Dramani admitted his side lacked the patience required to unlock Hohoe’s defensive block.
“Sometimes you need extra patience to play one more pass to break the opponent down because they were defending with almost 10 men in the box,” Dramani noted.
“We needed small adjustments in positioning, staying wide, and utilizing the gaps. That’s what we lacked tonight.”
Dramani, who took over the Phobia reins in the off-season, will be hoping for an improved attacking display when his side face Dreams FC in their next fixture.
Bashiru proud of his charges
On the opposite bench, Hohoe United head coach Abdul Rahim Bashiru, a former Hearts assistant and interim head coach during the 2023/24 season, expressed delight at his team’s discipline and execution of the game plan.
“Tactically, we played very well. We watched Hearts closely in preseason and the Top 4, and we equipped the boys both tactically and mentally,” Bashiru explained.
“The plan was to be conservative, and they followed instructions to the letter. I’m very proud of them.”
Bashiru and his side will now turn their attention to their next assignment, an away clash against Young Apostles on September 19.
Season opener graced by GFA leaders
The match also carried symbolic weight as it marked the official start of the 2025/26 Ghana Premier League season.
Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kurt Okraku and Vice-President Mark Addo were on hand to kick off the ceremonial ball before the start of play, underscoring the significance of Hohoe United’s historic debut.
Early lessons for both sides
The stalemate leaves both Hearts of Oak and Hohoe United with a single point each from their opening fixture.
For Hearts, the inability to translate possession into goals highlights early attacking concerns that Dramani will need to address.
For Hohoe, however, the result is a morale-boosting statement that the Premier League rookies are prepared to battle for survival.
As the new season unfolds, the draw will be remembered not only as a frustrating night for Hearts fans but also as the day Hohoe United officially announced their arrival in Ghana’s top tier with grit and resilience.
