Premier League: Medeama finish first round on top as Kotoko, Aduana slip in dramatic weekend

Medeama SC ended the first round of the 2025/26 Premier League as table leaders and new-year pace-setters after grinding out a crucial 1–0 victory over Hearts of Oak at the TnA Stadium in Tarkwa.

Salim Adams proved the difference in the 74th minute, punishing his former club with a composed close-range finish after a brilliant right-wing surge and cut-back from Richard Appiah.

Medeama dominated possession and tempo for long spells, repeatedly testing Hearts goalkeeper Solomon Agbasi, whose resistance eventually gave way as the Mauve and Yellow secured a two-point lead at the summit and underlined their title credentials. Hearts, despite a spirited display, finish the first round fifth with 28 points.

Elsewhere, Swedru All Blacks delivered one of their standout performances of the season, upsetting Asante Kotoko 2–1 at the Swedru Sports Stadium. Roland Leveh opened the scoring before Kotoko briefly drew level through Morifing Donzo. However, Rudolf Mensah’s stunning strike in first-half stoppage time restored All Blacks’ lead and sealed a morale-boosting victory that eases pressure on their coaching staff. Kotoko, meanwhile, drop to third, four points off the pace.

Aduana FC suffered a damaging setback at home as Vision FC claimed a shock 1–0 win at the Nana Agyemang Badu I Park. Meschack Adjetey’s 34th-minute goal stunned the hosts, handing Aduana a fourth defeat of the campaign and leaving them five points behind leaders Medeama. The result lifted Vision FC to 11th and dented Aduana’s title ambitions.

Bibiani Gold Stars produced a thrilling comeback display to deepen the relegation woes of Eleven Wonders with a 3–2 victory at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium.

The hosts made a dream start when Eden Kofi Asamoah struck just seven minutes into the contest, but Gold Stars responded with authority. Bright Boakye levelled matters in the 18th minute before Samuel Atta Kumi completed the turnaround five minutes later to put the defending champions ahead. Eleven Wonders showed resilience, with William Danquah restoring parity to make it 2–2, a scoreline that held until halftime.

Gold Stars regained control after the break and found the decisive goal in the 59th minute through Emmanuel Agyei, whose strike ensured the visitors led for a second time and ultimately sealed a hard-earned victory for coach Frimpong Manso’s side.

The win lifts Bibiani Gold Stars into second place on the Premier League table, just two points behind leaders Medeama SC.

Bechem United also enjoyed a crucial afternoon, edging Berekum Chelsea 1–0 at the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park to climb out of the relegation zone. Emmanuel Abban struck in the 62nd minute to cap a resilient response from Bechem following their heavy defeat to Kotoko. Chelsea’s struggles continued as they slipped into the bottom three.

Dreams FC bounced back from recent disappointment with a solid 2–0 win over Basake Holy Stars at the Tuba Astro Turf. Second-half goals from Seidu Suraj and Kelvin Ahaible secured a third consecutive home victory and lifted Dreams out of the relegation places, while Holy Stars dropped to 14th.

The first round concluded with Nations FC being held to a goalless draw by Karela United at the Dr Kwame Kyei Sports Complex.

Nations missed a golden chance to claim all three points when Emmanuel Annor’s second-half penalty was brilliantly saved by Ganiu Mohammed, as Karela defended resolutely to earn a valuable away point.