Premier League: Hohoe United eye revival as Heart of Lions seek redemption in Volta derby

Hohoe United will be desperate to halt their three-game winless and scoreless run when they host an out-of-form Heart of Lions side at the Hohoe Sports Stadium on Friday, January 2, 2026, in a highly anticipated Volta Regional derby.

A difficult run of form has seen Hohoe United slide into the relegation zone after dropping points in eight of their last ten league matches (W2, D3, L5), including three consecutive defeats. The Hohoe-based side currently sit 16th on the table, outside the safety zone on goal difference, and will be keen to climb out of danger in the final fixture of the first round of the season. After 16 league matches, they have scored 13 goals and conceded 17, highlighting their struggles at both ends of the pitch.

Home form has offered little comfort, with Hohoe United ranking as the league’s second weakest home side heading into this round. Their most recent setback came on Matchday 15, when they suffered their second home defeat of the campaign against defending champions Bibiani Gold Stars FC.

Under the guidance of Tijani Rahim Bashiru, the side have managed three wins, three draws and two defeats at home, scoring ten goals and conceding seven. With confidence at a low ebb, the hosts will be eager to start the new year on a positive note by claiming a morale-boosting derby victory in front of their supporters.

Heart of Lions travel to Hohoe grappling with problems of their own. Bashir Hayford’s men have gone six consecutive league matches without a win (D2, L4), setting an unwanted record as the longest current winless run in the league. December 2025 proved particularly difficult, as the Kpando-based club failed to register a single victory, losing all four matches played during the month. This slump has seen them drop to eighth place on the table with 23 points, having scored 17 goals and conceded 12 in 16 outings.

Despite their recent struggles, Heart of Lions remain one of the stronger away sides in the league, ranking fifth on the road. They began their away campaign with an emphatic 4-1 win over Eleven Wonders on Matchday 2 and have since recorded four draws and three defeats in eight away fixtures, scoring nine goals and conceding ten. Determined to end a six-game winless streak that stretches back to 2023, the visitors will be targeting maximum points as they look to secure only their second away victory of the season.

With both sides under pressure and local pride at stake, Friday’s Volta derby promises to be a fiercely contested encounter as Hohoe United fight for survival and Heart of Lions seek a much-needed turnaround.