Hearts of Oak made a flying start to the 2026/27 Ghana Premier League season with a commanding 4-0 victory over Berekum Chelsea, while Asante Kotoko were held to a 2-2 draw by newly promoted Debibi United on the opening day.
Playing at their temporary home at the University of Ghana Stadium in Legon, Hearts ended their five-season wait for an opening-day victory in emphatic fashion.
John Antwi was the star of the afternoon, scoring twice as the Phobians quickly took control of the contest.
Antwi opened the scoring after just four minutes, reacting quickest to a scramble inside the Chelsea penalty area before firing the ball into the net.
Chelsea had an opportunity to respond when Hearts goalkeeper Benjamin Asare made an error while attempting to control the ball, but Jonah Attuquaye failed to capitalise, sending his effort over the crossbar.
Hearts punished that miss in the 37th minute when Antwi rose to meet a cross and headed home his second goal of the afternoon.
🔴🔵🟡 | 🌳 2026/27 GPL
⌚:FT”
End of game.
AHOSC 4️⃣ – 0️⃣ B.CHELSEA#GPL2026 #NeverSayDie #AHOSC #Phobia4Life pic.twitter.com/E5dtD4BtqB
— Phooobia! – #WeNeverSayDie 🏅🏆 (@HeartsOfOakGH) September 6, 2026
The Phobians continued to dominate after the break, with Kader Mahmoud adding a third in the 86th minute when he headed home Ransford Mensah’s cross.
Ali Mohammed then completed the rout from the penalty spot in the 90th minute to give new head coach Nebojsa Kapor a perfect start to his Hearts tenure.
In Berekum, newly promoted Debibi United showed plenty of character on their Premier League debut as they came from behind to hold Asante Kotoko to a 2-2 draw at the Golden City Park.
Kotoko took the lead after 15 minutes through Dogo Yakubu, who was played through by Herbert Gyau before calmly slotting the ball into the bottom corner.
The visitors held their advantage at half-time, but Debibi United responded strongly after the interval.
Richard Owusu levelled with a powerful free-kick before striking again in the 73rd minute to put the hosts 2-1 ahead.
Kotoko avoided an opening-day defeat when Gyau reacted quickest to a goalmouth scramble to restore parity and rescue a point for the Porcupine Warriors.
It ends in a draw. pic.twitter.com/C82QdpcZ2R
— Asante Kotoko SC – 2X CAF CL Winners🥇 (@AsanteKotoko_SC) September 6, 2026
The contrasting results give Hearts an early boost under Kapor, while Kotoko will be left to reflect on a missed opportunity after surrendering their lead.
Hearts will next face Bibiani GoldStars, while Kotoko host Heart of Lions at the Baba Yara Stadium next weekend. Debibi United travel to face Swedru All Blacks, with Berekum Chelsea hosting Dreams FC.
