Martin Karikari's late volley beat Basake Holy Stars 1-0 and lifted Hearts of Oak to the summit with a third straight win.
Ghana's most storied club is back where its supporters believe it belongs. Martin Karikari's late volley gave Hearts of Oak a 1-0 win over Basake Holy Stars on Friday, sending the Phobians to the top of the 2026/27 Ghana Premier League after eight matches.
The attacking midfielder delivered the decisive moment at the University of Ghana Stadium. He found space with two clever shimmies, then struck a superb volley past the goalkeeper to settle a tense, stubborn contest.
The victory was Hearts' third in a row, following earlier wins over FC Port City and Vision FC. They now sit three points clear at the top, with the rest of the Matchday 8 fixtures still to be played on Sunday.
Hearts dominated for long spells and finished with 17 shots, 10 more than their opponents. Basake Holy Stars stayed compact and disciplined, though, frustrating the hosts and looking to hit them on the counter. Ransford Mensah came close to breaking the deadlock earlier when his powerful free-kick crashed off the post.
In the end it took a moment of individual brilliance to separate the sides. With momentum building and a lead at the top of the table, Hearts of Oak will watch Sunday's results knowing the pressure now sits with their rivals.
