Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak Secure Narrow Wins as AshantiGold's Gyamfi Junior Nets Hat-Trick in GPL Matchweek 2

Matchweek 2 of the 2026/27 Ghana Premier League (GPL) delivered high-octane action across the country, highlighted by crucial victories for giants Asante Kotoko and Accra Hearts of Oak. A total of 21 goals were recorded across the weekend, which saw six home victories and two away wins. While the traditional powerhouses found ways to secure maximum points, the individual standout performance came from FC AshantiGold’s David Gyamfi Junior, whose clinical hat-trick powered his side to a 3-1 victory over Vision FC, earning him the NASCO Man of the Match award.

For Asante Kotoko, a 2-1 victory over Heart of Lions marked their first win of the campaign, moving them to fourth in the league standings with four points from two matches. Despite the positive result, head coach Eric Tinkler expressed significant dissatisfaction with the performance, describing the victory as "winning ugly." Tinkler acknowledged the strength of the opposition and emphasized the need for defensive improvements. "Overall, there is still a lot of work we have to do defensively," Tinkler noted, even as midfielder Joseph Amoah was celebrated for his individual contribution to the win with a Man of the Match award.

In Accra, Hearts of Oak also secured a vital 2-1 victory against Bibiani Gold Stars in a match defined by goalkeeping heroics. Benjamin Asare proved to be the savior for the Phobians, producing a spectacular penalty save that protected their lead and halted a period of sustained pressure from Gold Stars. The visitors had dominated early play and created several scoring opportunities, but Asare's intervention ensured Hearts claimed the points. Despite the defeat, Bibiani Gold Stars' Kwame Opoku was recognized for his individual performance, joining the list of eight players honored by NASCO for the matchweek.

The round also saw significant triumphs for FC Samartex, Berekum Chelsea, and Karela United, while Young Apostles FC secured their first victory of the season with a 1-0 win over Basake Holy Stars. Each NASCO Man of the Match winner for the 2026/27 season, including Swedru All Blacks' Eric Wiafe Darkwah and Berekum Chelsea’s Jonah Attuquaye, received a 32-inch television set for their efforts. One fixture, Medeama SC versus Port City FC, was postponed due to Medeama’s ongoing involvement in the CAF Champions League, leaving the league table poised for further shifts in the coming weeks.