Head coach of Kpando Heart of Lions, Bashir Hayford, has played down his side’s heavy 3–0 defeat to Dreams FC, insisting the result is simply part of the game, even as concerns grow over his team’s recent struggles.
The loss came in the opening fixture of the second round of the 2025/26 Ghana Premier League, as Dreams FC dominated Matchday 18 at the Tuba Astro Turf.
First-half stoppage-time goal from John Antwi set the tone, before second-half strikes from Collins Boah and Adams Aminu sealed a comfortable victory for the hosts.
Speaking after the match, Hayford admitted the result was painful but maintained perspective.
“Well, I take it to be football,” he said. “My worry is that we play well, people see that we are playing football, but at the end of it all, we lose. That is what happened again. Suddenly they scored, and then the other two goals followed.
2025/26 GPL: Dreams FC have taken a 2-goal lead against Heart of Lions at the Tuba Astroturf.
John Antwi is among the goal scorers for Dreams FC.#CitiSports pic.twitter.com/dkWTXvh2vc
— Citi Sports (@CitiSportsGHA) January 11, 2026
While acknowledging his players’ effort, the veteran coach pointed to defensive shortcomings as the key factor behind the defeat.
“It wasn’t just loss of concentration,” he explained. “It was lack of organisation, defensive organisation. The ball falls somewhere and someone just uses it. That has to be a lesson for the boys.”
Hayford also expressed concern over a run of poor results, stressing the emotional toll on his squad.
“They are really down. They fought hard and still went home with nothing. That is worrying.
2025/26 GPL: Game resumed….
Dreams FC 3 v 0 Heart of Lions
Ebenezer Adade scored the third goal for Dreams FC.#CitiSports pic.twitter.com/PfitWnotuH— Citi Sports (@CitiSportsGHA) January 11, 2026
Despite the setback, the Lions coach urged calm and a quick refocus, especially with home form now crucial.
“We have to accept it and put it behind us. It’s an away game. Now we go back home and prepare. We must make sure we protect our home because that’s where we can recover.”
The defeat sees Heart of Lions drop to eighth on the league table, while Dreams FC climb to ninth, as the second round of the Ghana Premier League gathers momentum.
