Accra Hearts of Oak edged Holy Stars 1-0 at the University of Ghana Stadium on Friday, with Martin Karikari scoring the decisive goal in the 81st minute. The win marked the Phobians’ third consecutive league victory and moved them to the top of the Ghana Premier League table with 17 points.
Hearts entered the match unbeaten in their last three games, following a draw with Dreams F.C. and wins over Vision F.C. and Port City. Holy Stars, meanwhile, had won two of their last three, with a 2-0 defeat at Gold Stars as their only loss.
The match began as a tight contest of contrasting styles. Hearts almost took the lead early when Kwaku Boateng’s effort was cleared off the line, and a free‑kick from Ransford Mensah hit the post. Hearts’ creative duo, Yaw Amankwaah Baafi and Kwaku Boateng, were tightly marked throughout the first half.
In the second half, Holy Stars’ Abdul Basit and Joseph Hudson gained more possession and briefly challenged Hearts’ dominance. With nine minutes remaining, Karikari received a pass just inside the box, slipped past two defenders, and fired a quick shot to the near post before goalkeeper Baffoe Razak could react.
The victory leaves Hearts unbeaten in four matches, with three wins, and places them at the summit of the league. Holy Stars finish the game with two wins and two defeats in their last four outings.
