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The battle for supremacy in the Gbese Mantse Homowo Peace Cup enters its second chapter tomorrow as Accra Hearts of Oak face off against Kpando Heart of Lions, the team they beat to win the inaugural competition last year.
Last year, the Phobians edged a nail-biting inaugural final on penalties, 8-7, after a tense 1-1 draw.
The shootout loss denied Lions what would have been a dream victory under the patronage of the Gbese Mantse, Nii Ayi-Bonte II, in a fixture designed to celebrate peace and unity during the Ga Homowo festival.
For Lions, it was heartbreak, and a year later, that defeat still stings and represents unfinished business.
The memory of walking off the pitch empty-handed has been a driving force ever since, and their transformation over the past year is impossible to ignore.
Runners-up in the 2024/25 Ghana Premier League, two points ahead of Hearts, Coach Bashir Hayford and his players are arriving in Accra with more bite and belief than ever.
Last season, they beat Hearts 2-0 in the first round in Kpando before the Phobians hit back 1-0 in the return fixture, setting the tone for what could be another uncompromising contest.
Veteran Lions coach Bashir Hayford has wasted no time stoking the flames, making it clear there will be no repeat of last year’s clash.
The veteran gaffer, never short of bravado, says they are optimistic about turning the tables this year. He says the bitter experience of losing last year's game is a big motivator for his side to avoid a repeat.
“I welcome my brother, Didi Dramani [Hearts coach], to see this trophy for the first time, but he will not take it home,” Hayford warned, in a cheeky dig at his opposite number, at the pre-match press conference at the Gbese Mantse’s palace in Accra last Wednesday.
“We started preparing for this match since the season ended. This year, we are going to win and parade the trophy in Kpando.”
Captain Bismark Anim echoed his coach’s steely resolve.
“We are mentally and physically ready. Last year hurt, but this time our hard work will pay off.”
If Coach Hayford’s words were meant to rattle Hearts, skipper Benjamin Asare was unruffled. Ghana’s national team shot-stopper insisted his side had been quietly sharpening their claws under new boss, Mas-Ud Didi Dramani.
“They [Lions] want revenge, so they’ll be dangerous. But we are also ready and dangerous,” Asare warned. “Lions must know that Hearts were in existence long before them. We will show them on the pitch that we are their seniors," he added.
Since taking over the Phobians, Coach Dramani has been quietly shaping his side for tomorrow's contest as part of his season preparations.
The respected gaffer could unleash new signings Ali Mohammed and Frank Abora Duku from Vision FC, alongside pacey wing-back Yaw Amankwah Baafi from Dreams FC, as he fine-tunes for the GHALCA Top 4 and the 2025-26 Premier League season.
On the opposite bench, Coach Hayford could unleash familiar faces on the Hearts fans, with newly-signed forwards Kwame Obeng Junior and Abednego Tetteh expected to spearhead the Lions’ attack.
Their familiarity with the Phobians’ defensive tendencies could be crucial. For Hearts, wide overloads and quick transitions could be decisive, particularly if Baafi is given licence to bomb forward.
Midfield control will be crucial; whoever wins that area may well win the match.
With both clubs also using the fixture as a tune-up for the GHALCA Top 4 and the new league season, tomorrow’s clash offers more than bragging rights; it is as much a test of squad depth, tactical readiness and mental resilience ahead of the league season next month.
As always with the Gbese Mantse Cup, the festive atmosphere will be enhanced by performances from Accra music heavyweights, Tinny, Jupiter and Yaa Pono.
The event enjoys the backing of the National Youth Authority, The Black Star Experience, Office of Diaspora Affairs and the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, with dignitaries including NYA boss, Malik Basintale, and Accra Mayor, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, expected.
Matchday Details
Venue: Accra Sports Stadium
Date/Kick-off: Sunday, August 17 (3 pm)
Tickets: GH¢5, GH¢10, GH¢20, GH¢100.
Live on: Max TV and GHOne TV.
