Hearts of Oak beat Basake Holy Stars to go top of Ghana Premier League table

Hearts of Oak moved to the top of the 2026/27 Ghana Premier League table after securing a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Basake Holy Stars at the University of Ghana Stadium on Friday.

Martin Karikari scored a stunning late volley to settle the Matchday 8 encounter, extending the Phobians’ winning streak to three matches and strengthening their early-season title ambitions.

The victory followed Hearts’ previous successes against FC Port City and Vision FC, maintaining their impressive run of form as they continue their push for the league title.

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Hearts now sit three points clear at the summit, although the remaining Matchday 8 fixtures on Sunday could change the standings.

Karikari’s brilliance makes the difference

Hearts dominated large spells of the contest, creating the clearer scoring opportunities and registering 17 shots, 10 more than Basake Holy Stars.

However, the visitors proved difficult to break down, adopting a disciplined defensive approach to frustrate the hosts while looking for opportunities to threaten on the counterattack.

Hearts came close to breaking the deadlock when Ransford Mensah unleashed a powerful free-kick that struck the post, leaving the home supporters waiting for a breakthrough.

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The decisive moment eventually arrived through Karikari, whose individual brilliance separated the two sides in a tightly contested encounter.

The attacking midfielder showcased his technical quality with a couple of neat shimmies to create space before unleashing a superb volley beyond the goalkeeper.

The strike proved the difference between the teams, sparking celebrations among the Hearts faithful and securing all three points for the Phobians.

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Hearts strengthen title ambitions

The result gives Hearts of Oak further momentum as the 2026/27 Ghana Premier League campaign gathers pace.

Three consecutive victories will boost confidence within the team, while their attacking performance against Basake Holy Stars demonstrated their ability to create chances even against well-organised opposition.

Basake Holy Stars, meanwhile, will take encouragement from their defensive resilience despite leaving the University of Ghana Stadium without a point.

For Hearts, Karikari’s moment of brilliance could prove significant in an increasingly competitive title race as the Phobians look to maintain their position at the top of the table.