Accra Hearts of Oak left the just-ended 2025 GHALCA Top 4 tournament with their heads held high, finishing joint-top with Bibiani Gold Stars after three match days .
Though Gold Stars were crowned champions on head-to-head, the Phobians’ spirited showing under new head coach Mas-Ud Didi Dramani has sparked debate: are Hearts ready to reclaim their place among Ghana’s elite, or was this just a fleeting glimpse of promise?
The Phobians impressed with renewed energy and tactical organisation, capped by a morale-boosting 2-0 win over rivals Asante Kotoko on Matchday 3.
That victory ended a seven-match winless run in the Super Clash, offering fans a glimpse of resilience that had been missing in recent seasons. New faces blended with established names to deliver a side that looked balanced, disciplined, and dangerous in transition.
While Hearts were ultimately edged out of the title by Bibiani Gold Stars, who confirmed their rising dominance with another unbeaten campaign, Hearts’ performance across the competition suggests that Dramani’s ideas are beginning to take root.
The team showed sharper pressing, improved defensive shape, and a willingness to fight until the final whistle—qualities that had often been inconsistent in the past.
Still, the big question remains: was this a genuine statement of intent or simply a pre-season spark that may fizzle once the rigours of the Ghana Premier League begin? The Phobians’ history demands consistency, and their fans will be eager to see whether the tactical discipline and hunger on display at the Top 4 can be sustained over an entire campaign.
For now, Hearts of Oak have sent a clear message. Under Mas-Ud Didi Dramani, they may no longer be the sleeping giant many had written off. Whether this is the start of a true resurgence or just a brief fluke will be answered in the months ahead.
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Story by Samuel Annang|univers.ug.edu.gh
Edited by Pius Asack
