Ghana Premier League Match Day 3 review: Hearts, Kotoko drop points.
Match Day 3 of the 2026/27 Ghana Premier League was the first weekend that really felt like a season rather than an opening statement. Hearts of Oak and Samartex both dropped points; the big clubs failed to pull clear, and the drama came from the sides that needed it most: late winners, a five-goal scrap at Tuba, and a first top-flight win for newly promoted Port City.
The round ran Saturday–Sunday, with two games on 19 September and the rest on 20 September.
Saturday
Vision FC 1–1 Medeama SC
Nii Adjei Kraku II Sports Complex, Tema New Town
Defending champions Medeama finally got on the board, but only after going behind early. Naziru Alhassan Nyeney put Vision ahead after eight minutes. Medeama improved after the interval and Kingsley Braye equalised two minutes into the second half. A point each was fair; Vision stay competitive, Medeama remain well short of title-defence standard after three rounds.
Heart of Lions 0–0 Swedru All Blacks
Kpando Stadium
A grim, low-event draw. Lions still look short of cutting edge; All Blacks were happy to take a point on the road. Both sit in the lower half with work to do.
Sunday
Hearts of Oak 0–0 Bechem United
University of Ghana Stadium
Hearts’ winning start ended here. After 4–0 against Berekum Chelsea and a 2–1 comeback at Bibiani Gold Stars, the Phobians could not break a compact Bechem side. The Hunters defended their box well and left Accra with a valuable point. Hearts stay unbeaten and top, but the attacking fluency of the first two weeks was missing.
FC Samartex 1–1 Asante Kotoko
Nsenkyire Sports Arena, Samreboi
The weekend’s headline fixture. Goalless at half-time. Ibrahim Danlad saved a Samartex penalty in the 66th minute; Emmanuel Mamah then headed Kotoko in front. Christian Agyenim Boateng equalised with seven minutes left to keep Samartex unbeaten at home. Kotoko still have no away win. Two of the league’s strongest early sides shared the spoils.
Aduana FC 2–1 Karela United
Nana Agyemang Badu II Park
Stephen Amankona scored before the break. Nyaba Iddi Mahfuz levelled for Karela. Shawkan Mohammed won it deep in stoppage time. Aduana’s first win of the season; Karela let a point slip late.
Basake Holy Stars 1–0 FC AshantiGold
AAK II Park, Basake
Hudson Joseph’s first-half goal was enough. Holy Stars continue to look like one of the better organised new or returning sides and sit third. AshantiGold’s early promise faded.
Debibi United 3–0 Young Apostles
Debibi Presby Park
The most one-sided result of the round. Kwadwo Obeng Junior scored twice in the first half; Ibrahim Alhassan added a third. Debibi look capable of mid-table comfort; Young Apostles look light.
Dreams FC 2–3 Bibiani Gold Stars
Tuba Astro Turf
Best game of the weekend. Abdul Razak Salifu put Dreams ahead. Michael Nkoah equalised after the restart. Mohammad Shaban restored Dreams’ lead with 17 minutes left. Evans Adomako made it 2–2 in the 81st minute, and Bernard Kesse won it in stoppage time. Gold Stars’ first win of the season, and a huge lift after two defeats. Dreams stay near the bottom.
Port City FC 2–1 Berekum Chelsea
Nana Boamah Darko II Park, Kukurantumi
Francis Gyetuah scored after two minutes, Jamal Haruna equalised, and Gyetuah struck again late. First Premier League win for the debutants. Chelsea remain inconsistent after the opening-day hammering by Hearts.
How the table sits after three rounds
Hearts of Oak lead, with Samartex level or just behind on points depending on goal difference (Hearts have the better GD). Basake Holy Stars are third, Asante Kotoko fourth. The bottom cluster includes Heart of Lions, Medeama and Dreams.
Approximate picture after MD3:
- Hearts of Oak — 7 pts (2W 1D)
- Samartex — 7 pts (2W 1D)
- Basake Holy Stars — 6 pts (2W 1L)
- Asante Kotoko — 5 pts (1W 2D)
Several sides sit on 4 points: Debibi, Port City (from fewer games), AshantiGold, Vision, Aduana, Bechem, All Blacks.