2025 DEMOCRACY CUP: ACCRA HEARTS OF OAK VS ACCRA GREAT OLYMPICS - A RIVALRY TO REMEMBER 

By: Isaac Amponsah (Dr Ike) and Aaron Kintoh 

Accra Hearts of Oak will host city rivals Accra Great Olympics on Friday evening, knowing that only one of their biggest wins in their history will give them bragging rights. 

The two rivals will clash in a make-or-break affair with potential consequences for any team that loses on Friday afternoon at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium. 

The stadium will come alive as one of Ghana's greatest rivalries unfolds in the second edition of the Democracy Cup, which was introduced to commemorate Ghana's parliamentary democracy. 

This pre-season fixture carries the added flavor of a city derby, as both Hearts and Olympics seek bragging rights in Accra. The two teams have a history of intense competition.

The maiden edition, staged in 2024, saw Asante Kotoko edge Hearts of Oak 2-1 in a thrilling encounter at the Accra Sports Stadium. 

Accra Great Olympics' head coach, Sulley Adamu, knows the history and tensions behind their games against the Phobians and will likely need to line up a strong squad. 

Hearts of Oak coach Didi Dramani will continue to implement his tactical approach to the game after an impressive performance from his team in the GHALCA Top Four Tournament. 

Hearts of Oak have scored in each of their competitive games played so far since coach Mas-Ud Didi Dramani was appointed.

Didi Dramani’s matches since his appointment at Hearts of Oak:

• July 6, 2025: Hearts of Oak 1:2 Asante Kotoko (2025 President Cup)
Hamza Issah// Peter Amidu Acquah , Kwame Poku

• August 17, 2025: Hearts of Oak 2:0 Heart of Lions (2025 Homowo Cup)
Frank Duku, George Paaku 

• August 20, 2025: Hearts of Oak 1:0 Heart of Lions (2025 Ghalca Top 4) 
Ransford Mensah 

• August 22, 2025: Hearts of Oak 2-2 Bibiani Gold Stars (2025 Ghalca Top 4)
George Paaku, Hussein Mohammed // Samuel Attah Kumi, Justice Arthur 

• August 24, 2025: Asante Kotoko 0:2 Hearts of Oak (2025 Ghalca Top 4)
Frank Duku, Emmanuel Amankwah

The match officials include Young Theophilus Antwi Sekyi as the center referee, assisted by Kojo Larbi Wagya (Assistant I) and Abraham Partey (Assistant II), with Alex Amoabeng serving as the fourth official.

- Great Olympics are unbeaten in their last eight competitive games against Hearts of Oak (W4 D4 GF9 GA2).

- January 30, 2021: Hearts of Oak 0-2 Great Olympics (Ghana Premier League) [2020-21]

- June 6, 2021: Great Olympics 1-1 Hearts of Oak (Ghana Premier League) [2020-21]

- February 6, 2022: Hearts of Oak 0-1 Great Olympics (Ghana Premier League) [2021-22]

- June 12, 2022: Great Olympics 3-0 Hearts of Oak (Ghana Premier League) [2021-22]

- September 18, 2022: Hearts of Oak 1-1 Great Olympics (Ghana Premier League) [2022-23]

- March 1, 2023: Great Olympics 1-0 Hearts of Oak (Ghana Premier League) [2022-23]

- December 22, 2023: Great Olympics 0-0 Hearts of Oak (Ghana Premier League) [2023-24]

- June 9, 2024: Hearts of Oak 0-0 Great Olympics (Ghana Premier League) [2023-24]

- The last time Hearts of Oak won over Great Olympics in a competitive game was Wednesday, March 11, 2020, in the 2019-20 truncated season when Hearts won 4-0 over Olympics courtesy of Joseph Esso, Benjamin Afutu (2 goals), and Daniel Afriyie Barnieh.

The winner of this match will not only gain bragging rights but also secure a spot in a three-club international tournament in May 2026, providing a platform to showcase Ghanaian football on a global stage.