Hearts of Oak Held to Goalless Draw by Hohoe United in Premier League Opener

Accra Hearts of Oak were left frustrated on Friday evening after being held to a goalless draw by newly-promoted Hohoe United in the opening fixture of the 2025/2026 Ghana Premier League season at the Accra Sports Stadium.

The Phobians, who were tipped as favourites, struggled to break down a determined Hohoe United side making their historic debut in Ghana’s top-flight football. The first half was a cagey affair, with both teams showing promise but failing to create clear-cut chances. Hearts dominated possession and came close to finding the opener on several occasions, but poor finishing and resolute defending from the visitors kept the scoreline level at halftime.

The second half saw Hearts intensify their search for a breakthrough. In the 70th minute, Hohoe United were reduced to 10 men following a red card, a development that raised expectations among the home fans. However, despite the numerical advantage, Hearts failed to make it count as their forwards lacked the cutting edge needed to punish their opponents.

The visiting supporters, who travelled from the Volta Region, celebrated the result as a memorable achievement, marking their debut in the Premier League with a valuable point away from home. In contrast, the Hearts faithful left the stadium disappointed, with many expressing frustration at their team’s inability to win opening day fixtures in recent years.

The result means Hearts of Oak have now failed to record a win in their opening league match for the sixth consecutive season — a statistic that has become a growing concern for their fans and management.

Speaking after the game, Hohoe United’s head coach praised his players for their resilience and discipline, noting that securing a draw against one of Ghana’s most successful clubs was a “dream start” for the new boys. Hearts coach, meanwhile, admitted his side lacked sharpness in the final third and promised to work on improving their attacking play ahead of their next match.

The Phobians will be hoping to bounce back quickly as they prepare for their next fixture, while Hohoe United will look to build on this confidence-boosting debut performance.