Accra Hearts of Oak get their 2026/27 Ghana Premier League season underway on Sunday, welcoming Berekum Chelsea to the University of Ghana Stadium in Legon for their opening fixture.
The Phobians are forced to stage their home opener away from traditional grounds because the Accra Sports Stadium is currently unavailable for competitive action.
Sunday’s encounter signals the dawn of a fresh era under new Bosnian manager Nebojsa Kapor, who takes over the technical reins. Kapor brings valuable local know-how to the capital club, having previously managed fellow Premier League side Medeama.
Despite a relatively subdued pre-season—which wrapped up with a penalty shootout loss to Asante Kotoko in the Democracy Cup in Kumasi—Hearts made a massive statement by securing seasoned goalscorer John Antwi.
Finding the back of the net proved to be an Achilles’ heel for the Phobians recently, managing a paltry 25 goals across 34 league games last term after netting 32 the year prior. Antwi is expected to shoulder the burden of resolving these persistent attacking woes.
Defensively, stability will come from goalkeeper Benjamin Asare, who carries tremendous momentum into the domestic season following an impressive 2026 World Cup campaign with the Black Stars.
Opponents Berekum Chelsea arrive in the capital under new leadership as well, with Kwaku Danso stepping into the dugout to succeed Samuel Boadu.
Although Chelsea fought through a difficult patch for much of the previous campaign, a blistering finish—featuring five straight wins—secured them a respectable top-half finish. Danso takes over a heavily reinforced squad that added forward Jamal Haruna on a three-year contract, former goal king Diawisie Taylor, Awuah Dramani, Chyereme Shadirac, Fuseini Zakaria, goalkeeper Zulka Massawudu, and Augustine Boakye.
Historical fixtures strongly favour the Accra giants. Since November 2023, the pair have locked horns six times, yielding four victories for Hearts and two stalemates.
During that stretch, the Phobians have found the net 10 times while conceding just twice to Chelsea, though their most recent meeting on February 22 ended in a tense 0-0 draw.
With both sides boasting fresh tactical setups and ambitions of a strong start, Sunday’s showdown in Legon promises an intriguing tactical chess match.