Premier League: Medeama reclaim control, Hearts’ title dream ends as relegation battle intensifies

Medeama SC tightened their grip on the Premier League title race with a crucial 1-0 victory over Basake Holy Stars in a fiercely contested Western derby, while Hearts of Oak’s fading hopes were officially extinguished following a frustrating stalemate against Aduana FC.

Medeama responded emphatically to mounting pressure after rivals Gold Stars had temporarily climbed to the summit.

Despite missing a penalty through Salim Adams and seeing Kelvin Nkrumah twice denied by the woodwork, the league leaders held their nerve as Kingsley Braye struck the decisive second-half goal to hand Ibrahim Tanko’s side a priceless away victory at the AAK Ampain Park.

The win restores Medeama’s two-point advantage at the top with only two matches left, keeping the Mauve and Yellow firmly on course for league glory.

Hearts of Oak’s slim title ambitions came to an end after being held to a goalless draw by Aduana FC at the Accra Sports Stadium.

The Phobians dominated possession and created the better openings but failed to convert their chances, a recurring problem throughout a campaign defined by too many draws, particularly at home.

The result leaves Hearts without silverware this season, while Aduana strengthened their hopes of securing a top-four finish.

Young Apostles boosted their survival hopes with a narrow but significant 1-0 victory over Nations FC.

Samuel Prempeh’s first-half strike proved decisive as the hosts secured a fifth consecutive home victory to move out of immediate relegation danger.

The defeat, however, leaves Nations in a precarious 15th position, intensifying the pressure heading into the final two fixtures of the campaign.

Heart of Lions also revived their survival bid with a commanding 3-0 victory over FC Samartex at Kpando.

Captain Ebenezer Abban inspired the dominant first-half display, opening the scoring before Seedorf Asante and Ishmael Addo completed an emphatic win before halftime.

Samartex failed to recover and even squandered a second-half penalty in a disappointing afternoon for the former champions.

Vision FC recorded a convincing 3-0 triumph over Karela United in Tema.

Abdoul Nafilss Konate set the tone with an early opener before Bernard Kwarteng and Zaidan Alhasaan completed a comfortable victory to hand Vision renewed belief in their survival push.

Swedru All Blacks rescued a dramatic point in a tense 1-1 draw against Bechem United at the Swedru Sports Stadium.

Kofi Tompuo appeared to have won it for the visitors with a late strike, but Eric Wiafe Darkwa snatched an injury-time equaliser to preserve a valuable point for the hosts in their battle to avoid relegation.

Asante Kotoko ended their four-match winless run with a comfortable 2-0 victory over already relegated Eleven Wonders at the Baba Yara Stadium.

Lawson Kyei Manu opened the scoring before youngster Anthony Duah marked his senior debut with a memorable goal, handing interim coach Hamza Obeng his first victory in charge and offering Kotoko a timely morale boost after a difficult run.

Berekum Chelsea boosted their survival hopes with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Dreams FC at the Golden City Park on Sunday.

Kofi Tanib Oxborn’s decisive strike in the 32nd minute proved enough to separate the two sides, as the Bibires secured a third consecutive league victory to continue their impressive resurgence at a crucial stage of the season.

The narrow win lifts Berekum Chelsea into the top half of the table on 44 points, just two behind Dreams FC, significantly easing relegation concerns with only two matches remaining.

With just two games remaining, the Premier League title race and relegation battle remain delicately poised, setting the stage for a thrilling finish to the campaign.

GFA Communications