Hearts of Oak Win by Four Goals to Nil as the Ghana Premier League Opens

Reviewed by Hairudeen Mustapha
Ghana sports betting writer
Published 8 September 2026

Hearts of Oak beat Berekum Chelsea by four goals to nil to open the Ghana Premier League on Sunday, while Asante Kotoko were held to a two all draw by the newly promoted Debibi United in Berekum.

John Antwi scored twice for Hearts at the University of Ghana Stadium, the first inside the opening minutes and the second with a header before the interval. Kader added a third late on and Ali Mohammed converted a penalty in stoppage time.

Kotoko dropped points at a ground nobody had played at

Debibi United were promoted this year and were playing their first match in the top flight, at the Golden City Park in Berekum. Dogo Yakubu put Kotoko ahead in the 15th minute. Richard Owusu scored twice in the second half, the first from a free kick, to turn the game round, and Herbert Gyau levelled it late from a scramble in the goalmouth.

The rest of the round was tight. Samartex beat Karela United by three goals to one, Bechem United beat Bibiani Gold Stars by a goal to nil and Holy Stars beat All Blacks by the same score. Heart of Lions and Aduana Stars drew without a goal, and Port City and Ashantigold drew a goal each.

What the opening round says

Two things stand out from a single matchday. Hearts of Oak, who have started slowly for years, produced the only heavy win in the round. And a promoted side took a point off Kotoko at home, which is the sort of result that makes an early table misleading and a long season honest.

Where to bet: Ghanaian books open the domestic league with match result, double chance, total goals and both teams to score, and add outright winner and top scorer once the season is under way. Betway and Premier Bet, both licensed by the Gaming Commission of Ghana, price in cedis with deposits through MTN Mobile Money and Telecel Cash. After one matchday the prices still rest on last season’s table rather than on anything that has happened, so a promoted side that has already taken a point is usually the market that moves first. Compare the two books before the second round. Our guide to the best betting sites in Ghana covers licensing and withdrawal times, and there is more in Ghana soccer news from AXN Sports. 18+. Gamble responsibly.