Premier League:  Samartex edge Karela, Lions roar again as title and survival battles intensify

FC Samartex 1996 continued their steady rise up the Premier League table with a hard-earned 1–0 victory over Karela United at the Aliu Mahama Stadium in Tamale.

Christian Agyenim Boateng’s decisive strike five minutes after the restart proved enough to separate the sides in a tense Matchweek 19 encounter. Karela showed early intent and pushed hard for an equaliser late on, but Samartex’s defensive resilience ensured they left Tamale with all three points.

At the Kpando Sports Stadium, Heart of Lions ended an eight-match winless run with a 1–0 victory over bottom-placed Eleven Wonders. Ishmael Addo’s 32nd-minute goal secured the Lions a league double over their struggling opponents and lifted them to seventh place with 27 points, easing pressure on head coach Bashiru Hayford.

Berekum Chelsea’s relegation worries deepened after they were held to a frustrating draw by Swedru All Blacks at the Golden City Park. Despite creating the better chances in the absence of suspended head coach Samuel Boadu, Chelsea failed to find a breakthrough and remain stuck in the drop zone. Swedru All Blacks, meanwhile, were content with a point that keeps them 10th and four points clear of danger.

Young Apostles and Hohoe United served up one of the matches of the weekend, sharing the spoils in an entertaining 2–2 draw at the Wenchi Sports Stadium. Hohoe stunned the hosts with two quick first-half goals through Anane Keke David and Emmanuel Kyeremeh, but Richmond Opoku inspired a spirited Apostles comeback, scoring twice — including a penalty — to earn his side a point.

Nations FC dealt a significant blow to Aduana Stars’ title ambitions with a 1–0 home win at the Dr. Kwame Kyei Sports Complex. Joseph Effah’s towering 20th-minute header preserved Nations’ unbeaten home record and lifted them to 11th place. Aduana now sit eight points behind leaders Medeama, with their title push losing momentum.

Elsewhere, Basake Holy Stars returned to winning ways with a 2–1 victory over Bechem United at the AAK II Sports Arena. First-half goals from Prince Opoku and Sylvester Simba proved decisive, despite Augustine Okrah’s second-half reply for Bechem. The win moves Holy Stars a point above Bechem United in 12th place as the battle for mid-table security and survival continues.