GPL: Morifing Donzo’s penalty hands Asante Kotoko victory over Hearts of Oak in Super Clash; Hearts of Lions Return to Winning Ways
Matchday 9 of the Premier League delivered thrilling action and dramatic moments, highlighted by Asante Kotoko’s Super Clash win, Heart of Lions’ late winner, Young Apostles’ impressive comeback, and Basake Holy Stars finally securing their first victory of the season. Here is a wrap up of all the action on Sunday.
Asante Kotoko claim btaggings rights with win over Hearts of Oak
Asante Kotoko claimed bragging rights in the first Super Clash of the 2025/26 Premier League season, defeating rivals Hearts of Oak 1-0 in a fiercely contested encounter at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday.
The decisive moment came midway through the second half when referee Collins Amoah awarded Kotoko a penalty after Amankwah Baafi clumsily brought down Peter Amidu Acquah inside the box. Morifing Donzo stepped up and coolly slotted home from the spot to seal victory for the Porcupine Warriors.
Kotoko began the match on the front foot, creating the better chances through Saaka Dauda and Hubert Gyau, while Hearts struggled to find their rhythm in the opening stages. The Phobians gradually grew into the game, but their attacking efforts lacked sharpness in the final third.
Statistically, Kotoko edged the contest with six total shots, three on target, compared to Hearts’ five efforts and a single shot on goal.
The result extends Kotoko’s dominance in recent league meetings with Hearts, marking their fourth win in the last five encounters between the two giants. It also lifts the Porcupine Warriors to seventh on the league table with 13 points, just five points behind the leaders despite having three games in hand.
Hearts of Oak, meanwhile, suffered their first league defeat of the season, slipping to fifth in the standings. The Phobians will look to bounce back quickly when they face Swedru All Blacks next weekend, while Asante Kotoko turn their focus to an outstanding away trip against Vision FC.
Heart of Lions Edge Berekum Chelsea with Late Winner
In a tense encounter at the Kpando Sports Stadium, Heart of Lions returned to winning form with a dramatic 1-0 victory over Berekum Chelsea. Paul Atta Agyei, who came off the bench, scored a stunning late goal in stoppage time to secure all three points for the Lions. After a cagey first half marked by missed opportunities, including a penalty appeal, Lions pushed hard in the second half. Agyei’s clinical finish not only delighted the home crowd but also marked a crucial turning point for the team.
Young Apostles Pull Off Stunning Comeback Against Bechem United
At the Wenchi Sports Stadium, newly promoted Young Apostles stunned Bechem United with a thrilling 3-2 comeback win. The visitors initially took the lead through Augustine Okrah in the 25th minute, but Young Apostles swiftly responded with goals from Issah Hussein and Issah Nyaabila to take a 2-1 lead. Despite Bechem’s Darlvin equalizing late in the second half, substitute Vincent Mobilla scored the decisive goal in the 85th minute, lifting Young Apostles to 8th place in the league standings.
Basake Holy Stars Celebrate First Win Over Bibiani Gold Stars
Basake Holy Stars finally broke their winless streak with a resounding 2-0 victory over the defending champions, Bibiani Gold Stars, at the AAK Sports Arena. After eight games without a win, Holy Stars delivered their best performance of the season, with Prince Opoku and Prince Tweneboah scoring in quick succession before halftime. The home side’s solid defense ensured they kept a clean sheet, giving them a much-needed morale boost as they aim to climb the table.
Karela United and Dreams FC Share the Spoils in 1-1 Draw
In a tightly contested match at the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium, Karela United and Dreams FC settled for a 1-1 draw. Karela made a strong start, taking the lead early with a goal from Malik Abubakar. However, Dreams FC responded quickly after halftime through Seidu Suraj, who finished a well-executed move. Despite Karela’s attempts to find a winner, they were unable to convert their chances, leaving them in ninth place on the table.
FC Samartex 1996 Narrowly Defeat Swedru All Blacks
FC Samartex 1996 bounced back from last week’s defeat with a narrow 1-0 win over Swedru All Blacks at the Nsenkyire Sports Arena. Emmanuel Mamah’s first-half penalty proved decisive in a match that saw both teams struggle for rhythm. Samartex defended resolutely against increased pressure from Swedru after the break, ensuring they secured the vital three points.
