2025-26 GHANA PREMIER LEAGUE PREVIEW: KPANDO HEART OF LIONS VS DREAMS FC

• By: Isaac Amponsah (Dr Ike) and Aaron Kintoh

Predictions: Home win/draw     

The Ghana Premier League is in full swing, with thrilling matches unfolding across the country in the first week of the 2025-26 season.

The league kicked off on September 12, 2025, at the Accra Sports Stadium, where Accra Hearts of Oak were held to a goalless draw by Hohoe United in a closely contested encounter.

Heart of Lions kicks off their 2025-26 Ghana Premier League campaign with a mouth-watering home encounter against Dreams FC at the Kpando Sports Stadium on Sunday, September 14, in what promises to be one of the highlight matches of the opening weekend.

Both teams ended the last season on a high note, and given their reputations as formidable mid-table contenders, this opening-day showdown is set to establish the tone for another electrifying season.

Last season was a landmark campaign for Heart of Lions' coach, Bashiru Hayford, as his team secured a remarkable second-place finish - their highest league position since the 2013-14 season.

This impressive performance not only showcased their growth but also earned them a coveted spot in the Ghalca Top Four, solidifying their status as a resurgent force in Ghanaian football.

During the transfer window, Heart of Lions was able to keep almost all the key players who featured in the 2024-25 season and has brought in equally talented players ahead of the 2025-26 season, with three players left out of the team. It really shows they are determined to get down to business ahead of the new season.

Below are the players who moved in and out during the transfer window:

HEART OF LIONS IN

Benson Kofi Yeboah (from Mighty Jets)

Emmanuel Anokye (from Sporting Club Accra)

Faisal James WG-  Mighty Jets

Emmanuel Anokye WG-  Sprting Club Accra

Kojo Kumah Macaulley WG – Al Qabila

Acquah Esias MD – Shooting Stars

Yaw Polo Adjei MD – FREE

Chauncy Freeman FW – FREE

Micheal Ephson MD-  FREE

Micheal Noumon FW-  Tema United

Dennis Korsah LB – Free

OUT

Nana Kwame Oppong Free

Chritian Agyenim Boateng Free

Michelle Sarpong Free

Dreams FC are determined to make a strong showing in the 2025-26 Ghana Premier League after placing sixth in the 2024-25 season with mixed results.

New coach Winfred Dormon will guide Dreams FC into the new season with a crucial opening fixture against Heart of Lions at Kpando Sports Stadium on Sunday, September 14, 2025, at 3:00 pm kickoff.

Dreams FC is coming into the season on the back of excellent performances in the off-season matches, winning the Nsenkyire Cup against equally strong Premier League teams like Nations FC, Aduana Stars, Medeama SC, and Samatex 1996 FC.

Dreams FC hopes to rely on their goalkeeper Gidios Aseako, who pulled off surprise performances during the off-season and won the Best Goalkeeper award.

Striker Suraj Seidu is expected to fill the gap left behind in the team after the departure of experienced Joseph Esso to Malaysia, who was a most influential player in the team last season.

Coach Dormon has blended both experience and rejuvenated players, making them a formidable team to beat in the season.

Dreams FC Transfers:

In:

- Rahman Osman (GK – Wa Sore)

- Nante Desmond Tetteh (AM – Tema United)

- Ernest Appiah (from Akotoshie Warriors)

- Seidu Suraj (AM – Free Agent)

- Isaac Okyere (FW – Nayan FC)

- Oppong Asante (from FC Armour)

- Kolani Baboulin Yves (from Togo)

Transfer Updates:

- Joseph Esso transferred to Malaysia

- Amankwah Baafi rejoins

-Musibau Aziz

• The 2025-26 season of the Ghana  League is the 63rd edition since the competition started in 1956, but the 29th edition since the inception of the Ghana Premier League in the 1993-94 season. Meanwhile, it marks the 15th appearance for Heart of Lions and the 7th appearance for Dreams FC.

• The 2025-26 season is the 12th time that Ghana elite competition have been played with 18 clubs.

• 1962-63 Accra Real Republicans

• 1963-64 Asante kotoko

• 1975 Asante kotoko

• 1978 Hearts of Oak

• 1979 Hearts of Oak

• 1980 Asante kotoko

• 2020-21 Hearts of Oak

• 2021-22 Asante kotoko

• 2022-23 Medeama SC

• 2023-24 FC Samartex

• 2023-24 Bibiani Gold Stars

• Since the inception of Ghana League, 106 new clubs have featured since 1956 and only fourteen (14) clubs have won the title so far with Kumasi Asante Kotoko been the most successful club with 24, followed by Accra Hearts of Oak (21), Obuasi Ashanti Gold [Goldfields] (4), Accra Great Olympics (2), Dormaa Aduana FC (2), Sekondi Eleven Wise (1), Real Republicans (1), Cape Coast Ebusua Dwarfs (1) Sekondi Hasaacas (1) Berekum Chelsea (1), Legon Cities [Wa All-Stars] (1), Medeama SC (1), FC Samartex (1) and Bibiani Gold Stars (1).

• Head-to-Head

• 2023-24 season

Thursday, 4th January, 2024 (Day 13)

Heart of Lions                1-0 Dreams FC

Pong Kwesi 31'

NB: Ebenezer Abban (Heart of Lions) missed penalty

MVP: Pong Kwesi - Heart of Lions

Sunday, 19th May, 2024 (Day 30)

Dreams FC                     1-2 Heart of Lions ***

Joseph Esso 17'//Ebenezer Abban 45+3' (pen), Mustapha Yakubu 46'

MVP: Francis Odoom - Dreams FC

• 2024-25 season

Monday, September 22, 2024 (Day 3)

Dreams FC                     2-2 Heart of Lions

Yaovi Chris Guede 34', Joseph Esso 87'//Michelle Sarpong 51', Christian Agyenim Boateng 60'

MVP: Suweidu S. Sulemana - Dreams FC

Wednesday, March 19, 2025 (Day 20)

Heart of Lions               1-2 Dreams FC ***

MVP: Yaro Isaac - Dreams FC

Total matches played       - 4

Heart of Lions wins          - 2

Goals scored                     - 6

Dreams FC wins                - 1

Goals scored                     - 5

Drawn games                    - 1

• Heart of Lions have scored in each of their previous 4 games against Dreams FC in the Ghana Premier League since the 2023-24 season (GF 6).

Current Form:

• Heart of Lions are unbeaten in their last two (2) games in the Ghana Premier League (W2, GF4, GA1).

• 01/06/25 Heart of Lions 2-1 Bechem United (Day 33) [2024-25]

• 08/06/25 Nations FC      0-2 Heart of Lions (Day 34) [2024-25]

• Heart of Lions have scored in each of their last three (3) games in the Ghana Premier League (GF 3).

• 25/05/25 Young Apostles 3-1 Heart of Lions (Day 32) [2023-24]

• 01/06/25 Heart of Lions 2-1 Bechem United (Day 33) [2024-25]

• 08/06/25 Nations FC      0-2 Heart of Lions (Day 34) [2024-25]

• Dreams FC have scored in each of their last seven (7) games in the Ghana Premier League (GF 14).

• 20/04/25 Dreams FC      1-1 Vision FC (Day 28) [2024-25]

• 27/04/25 Karela United  1-2 Dreams FC *** (Day 29) [2024-25]

• 04/05/25 Dreams FC      3-0 Nsoatreman FC (Day 30) [2024-25]

• 18/05/25 Asante kotoko 4-1 Dreams FC (Day 31) [2024-25]

• 25/05/25 Dreams FC      1-0 Berekum Chelsea (Day 32) [2024-25]

• 01/06/25 Accra Lions     0-2 Dreams FC (Day 33) [2024-25]

• 08/06/25 Dreams FC      4-1 Legon Cities (Day 34) [2024-25]

• Dreams FC's fixture against Heart of Lions will be their 201st game in the Ghana Premier League since their debut game on February 21, 2016.

Here's a breakdown of their performance:
- Total games played: 200
- Wins:                           75
- Drawn games:            56
- Games lost:                69
- Goals scored:            134
- Goals conceded:       207

Asante Kotoko is the only team to have won a Match Day 1 fixture against Dreams FC in their previous seasons in the Ghana Premier League since the 2015-16 season.

Here are the results of Dreams FC's Match Day 1 fixtures:

- February 21, 2016: Ebusua Dwarfs 0-1 Dreams FC (2015-16 season)
- November 16, 2020: Inter-Allies 0-0 Dreams FC (2020-21 season)
- October 30, 2021: Dreams FC 1-3 Asante Kotoko (2021-22 season)
- September 11, 2022: Bibiani Gold Stars 0-1 Dreams FC (2022-23 season)
- September 20, 2023: Dreams FC 1-0 Nations FC (2023-24 season)
- September 7, 2024: Dreams FC 0-0 FC Samartex 1996 (2024-25 season)

• Match Facts:

Here are some of the notable teams from the Volta Region that have featured in the Ghana League:

Teams from the Volta Region:

1. Ho Volta Heroes (1962-63)

2. Ho Mighty Eagles (1967)

3. Ho Sunset (1967)

4. Volta United (1973)

5. Volta Juantex (1978)

6. Arnold Warriors, Apeguso (1985)

7. Ho Voradep (1989-90)

8. Kpando Heart of Lions (2003)

9. West African Football Academy (WAFA) (2014-15)

10. Hohoe United (2025-26)

These teams have represented the Volta Region in the top-flight league of Ghanaian football.

• Heart of Lions have faced fifteen teams from the Greater Accra Region in the Ghana Premier League since the 2003 season.

1. Hearts of Oak (2003)

2. Liberty Professionals (2003)

3. Great Olympics (2003)

4. Stay Cool (2003)

5. Real Sportive (2004)

6. Tema Youth (2006-07)

7. Zaytuna United (2007-08)

8. Saint Mirren (2008-09)

9. Mighty Jets (2010-11)

10. Amidaus Professionals (2012-13)

11. International Allies (2013-14)

12. Accra Lions (2023-24)

13. Legon Cities (2023-24)

14. Dreams FC (2023-24)

15. Vision FC (2024-25)

• Dreams FC have faced the below teams from the Volta Region in the Ghana Premier League since the 2015-16 season.

1. West Africa Football Academy [WAFA] (2015-16)

2. Heart of Lions (2023-24)

• Heart of Lions are unbeaten in their previous Match Day 1 home games in the Ghana Premier League since the 2003 season.

2006-07 Heart of Lions 3-0 Power FC

2007-08 Heart of Lions 2-0 Real Sportive

2009-10 Heart of Lions 2-0 Hearts of Oak

2011-12 Heart of Lions 1-0 Wassaman United

2013-14 Heart of Lions 0-0 Ashanti Gold

2014-15 Heart of Lions 2-0 New Edubiase United

W5 D1 GF10 GA0

• Dreams FC are unbeaten in their previous Match Day 1 away games in the Ghana Premier League since the 2015-16 season.

2015-16 Ebusua Dwarfs      0-1 Dreams FC ***

2020-21 Inter-Allies              0-0 Dreams FC

2022-23 Bibiani Gold Stars 0-1 Dreams FC ***

W2 D1 GF2 GA0

• The first time Heart of Lions lost at home in the Ghana Premier League since 2003 was on August 3, 2003, in Match Day 11 of the 2003 season against Hearts of Oak (0-3).

- Since then, Heart of Lions has played 194 home games in the Ghana Premier League: W113, D55, L26, GF294, GA110.

• The last time Heart of Lions lost at home in the Ghana Premier League was on March 19, 2025, in Match Day 20 of the 2024-25 season against Dreams FC (1-2).

- Since then, Heart of Lions have played 5 home games (450 minutes) so far in the Ghana Premier League: (W4, D1, GF9, GA4).

• Heart of Lions have lost 28 out of 205 home games so far in the Ghana Premier League since the 2003 season.

• Heart of Lions have played 205 home games in the Ghana Premier League since the 2003 season: W120, D58, L28, GF276, GA119.

• The first time Dreams FC won an away game in the Ghana Premier League was on February 21, 2016, in Match Day 1 of the 2015-16 season against Ebusua Dwarfs (0-1).

- Since then, Dreams FC have played 96 away games in the Ghana Premier League: W14, D31, L51, GF66, GA131.

• The last time Dreams FC won an away game in the Ghana Premier League was on June 1, 2025, in Match Day 33 of the 2024-25 season against Accra Lions (0-2).

- Since then, Dreams FC have yet to play an away game in the Ghana Premier League.

• Dreams FC have played 100 away games in the Ghana Premier League since the 2015-16 season: (W17, D31, L52, GF71, GA134).

• Heart of Lions' home matches in the month of September in the Ghana Premier League since the 2003 season.

- 03/09/03: Heart of Lions 2-0 Liberty Professionals

- 14/09/03: Heart of Lions 0-0 Bofoakwa Tano

- 28/09/03: Heart of Lions 1-0 Berekum Arsenal

- 18/09/04: Heart of Lions 2-1 Power FC

- 29/09/04: Heart of Lions 2-2 Liberty Professionals

- 28/09/05: Heart of Lions 2-1 Power FC

- 20/09/06: Heart of Lions 1-2 Hearts of Oak

- 12/09/10: Heart of Lions 2-0 Berekum Chelsea

- 26/09/10: Heart of Lions 0-0 Wa All Stars

- 15/09/13: Heart of Lions 0-0 Ashanti Gold

- 29/09/13: Heart of Lions 2-1 Amidaus Professionals

- 06/09/15: Heart of Lions 2-0 Great Olympics

- 24/09/23: Heart of Lions 0-0 Great Olympics

- 15/09/24: Heart of Lions 2-0 Hearts of Oak

- 29/09/24: Heart of Lions 0-0 Bibiani Gold Stars

Record: (W8, D6, L1, GF 18, GA 7)

• Dreams FC's away matches in the month of September in the Ghana Premier League since the 2015-16 season.

- 14/09/16: Bechem United 1-1 Dreams FC

- 11/09/22: Bibiani Gold Stars 0-1 Dreams FC

- 25/09/22: Karela United 2-0 Dreams FC

- 23/09/23: Bechem United 1-0 Dreams FC

- 15/09/24: Basake Holy Stars 0-0 Dreams FC

- 29/09/24: Bechem United 1-0 Dreams FC

Record: (W1, D2, L3, GF2, GA5)

• The last away side to prevent Heart of Lions from scoring at home in the Ghana Premier League was Nations FC, who secured a 1-0 win on January 19, 2025, in Match Day 17 of the 2024-25 season.

• Heart of Lions have kept 148 clean sheets out of 389 games in the Ghana Premier League since the 2003 season.

• Dreams FC have kept 71 clean sheets out of 200 games played in the Ghana Premier League since February 21, 2016, when they played their debut game in the competition.

• Heart of Lions' best position in the Ghana Premier League since 2003 is 2nd on three occasions - in the 2007-08 season with 53 points, the 2013-14 season with 47 points, and the 2024-25 season with 60 points.

• Dreams FC's best position in the Ghana Premier League since the 2015-16 season is 6th on two occasions - in the 2022-23 season with 48 points and the 2024-25 season with 52 points.

• Heart of Lions' worst performance in the Ghana Premier League since 2003 is 14th with 40 points in the 2014-15 season, and they were relegated.

• Dreams FC's worst performance in the Ghana Premier League since the 2015-16 season is 9th with 40 points in the 2015-16 season, but they were relegated after a ruling from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which paved the way for Tema Youth to replace them for the 2017 season.

MATCH: HEARTS OF LIONS FC VS DREAMS FC - LIVE

VENUE: KPANDO SPORTS STADIUM

REFEREE: JULIAN NUNOO

ASSISTANTS: ALHASSAN ABDULAI GRUUGULLO

4TH REFEREE: MOHAMMED MISBAOU

MATCH COMMISSIONER: ANNAN LOMOTEY

VENUE MEDIA OFFICER: ERIC ELI ADZI