Ghana’s top flight has returned, and the opening round of the 2026/27 Ghana Premier League season has already delivered goals, surprises and encouraging performances from both established giants and ambitious newcomers. The opening weekend has immediately demonstrated the competitiveness expected to define another demanding campaign, with Hearts of Oak making the strongest statement among the traditional heavyweights while Asante Kotoko were forced to settle for a point against newly promoted Debibi United.
At the University of Ghana Stadium in Legon, Hearts of Oak announced their arrival with authority, sweeping aside Berekum Chelsea by four goals to nil in a commanding display that gave new head coach Nebojsa Kapor the ideal beginning to his tenure. The Phobians, who finished third in the previous campaign and are determined to challenge for the championship, needed only four minutes to establish their superiority.
Veteran forward John Antwi reacted quickest when the ball broke loose inside the Chelsea penalty area and calmly directed his effort into the net to put Hearts ahead. Berekum Chelsea subsequently had a valuable opportunity to restore parity after an error by Hearts goalkeeper Benjamin Asare, but Jonah Attuquaye failed to take advantage of the opening and sent his effort over the crossbar.
That missed opportunity proved expensive as Antwi returned to the scoresheet in the 37th minute. The experienced attacker rose impressively inside the penalty area to meet a well delivered cross and headed beyond the goalkeeper, giving Hearts a two goal cushion before the interval.
The Phobians retained control after the resumption and continued to threaten a Chelsea defence that struggled to contain their attacking movement. Kader Mahmoud extended the advantage in the 86th minute when he connected with Ransford Mensah’s cross and directed a header into the net.
Ali Mohammed then completed the emphatic victory from the penalty spot in the 90th minute, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way and sealing a four goal triumph for Kapor’s side. The result also ended Hearts’ difficult sequence of five consecutive opening day fixtures without a victory, giving the Accra giants an immediate psychological boost in their pursuit of a first league title in six seasons.
While Hearts enjoyed a perfect beginning, Asante Kotoko endured a far more complicated afternoon at the Golden City Park in Berekum, where the Porcupine Warriors were held to a two all draw by newly promoted Debibi United.
Kotoko appeared to be heading towards a comfortable opening day victory after Dogo Yakubu put the visitors ahead in the 15th minute. Herbert Gyau supplied the decisive pass, allowing Yakubu to take a composed touch before guiding the ball into the bottom corner.
The Kumasi giants carried their advantage into the interval, but Debibi United emerged from the dressing room with considerably greater purpose and transformed the complexion of the contest.
Richard Owusu restored parity in the 49th minute with a powerful free kick that eluded Kotoko goalkeeper Ibrahim Danlad. The newly promoted side continued to apply pressure and eventually completed their turnaround in the 73rd minute when Owusu struck again to put Debibi United in front.
Kotoko, however, refused to surrender and their experience at the highest level eventually told. Herbert Gyau reacted fastest during a crowded goalmouth situation and fired the equaliser in the 79th minute, rescuing a point for Eric Tinkler’s team.
The result nevertheless represented a frustrating beginning for Tinkler, whose side surrendered a first half advantage and struggled to impose themselves for extended periods. For Debibi United, however, the draw represented an encouraging introduction to life in the Ghanaian top division and a significant indication of the competitive spirit they intend to bring to the campaign.
The opening weekend also witnessed a historic encounter between two newcomers as Port City FC and FC Ashantigold shared the spoils in a one all draw at the Nana Boamah Darko II Park. Ashantigold made the more assertive start and gained the advantage through Zak Musah in the 36th minute, leaving the visitors ahead at the interval.
Port City were handed a major opportunity to equalise early in the second half after Ashantigold conceded a penalty, but goalkeeper Abdul Aziz produced an outstanding double save to preserve his team’s hopes. The home side eventually found their reward in the 66th minute when captain Hamza Zakari rose above the defence and powered a header into the net.
Neither side could produce the decisive breakthrough during the closing stages, meaning both debutants collected a valuable point from their first ever Ghana Premier League appearance. For Port City, the result provided a positive foundation for their historic campaign, while Ashantigold will consider the missed penalty an opportunity lost in a fixture they could have won.
Elsewhere, Vision FC also made an impressive statement by defeating Young Apostles three goals to nil, while FC Samartex began their campaign with a three one victory over Karela United. Bechem United defeated reigning champions Bibiani GoldStars by a solitary goal, Basake Holy Stars edged Swedru All Blacks one nil, and Heart of Lions shared a goalless draw with Aduana FC. The meeting between Dreams FC and Medeama SC was postponed because of Medeama’s continental commitments.
With the first round already producing goals, unexpected results and encouraging performances from the promoted clubs, the 2026/27 Ghana Premier League has wasted little time in establishing its competitive character.
Hearts of Oak have immediately moved to the front of the early conversation after their emphatic victory, while Kotoko have been reminded that reputations alone will not guarantee points in a season that has already shown its capacity for surprises. Debibi United’s spirited comeback against one of the country’s most decorated clubs and the impressive performances of the other newcomers have further reinforced the sense that the new campaign could provide intense competition across the table.
Hearts will next turn their attention to Bibiani GoldStars, while Kotoko prepare to welcome Heart of Lions at the Baba Yara Stadium. Debibi United will continue their campaign against Swedru All Blacks, and Berekum Chelsea will return to action against Dreams FC.
The new Ghana Premier League season is therefore underway with precisely the ingredients supporters expect from the country’s flagship domestic competition: goals, established giants under pressure, emerging clubs making their presence felt and early evidence that no team can afford complacency.
