Accra Hearts of Oak Face Off Against Heart of Lions in Gbese Mantse Cup

Accra Hearts of Oak will engage Kpando Heart of Lions in the 2025 Gbese Mantse Homowo Peace Charity Cup. The anniversary cup match is slated to take place at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday, August 17, 2025, at 5:00 pm. 

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) is confident that both Premier League clubs will adhere strictly to all relevant regulations to ensure a successful and well-organized event.

In attendance will be the Gbese Mantse, Nii (Dr.) Ayibonte II, who is expected to perform the ceremonial kickoff, along with other dignitaries expected to grace the occasion. Meanwhile, organizers of the game have announced ticket prices for the match. 

According to a statement, tickets to the VVIP Lounge will be sold at GH¢200, VIP tickets will go for GH¢100, Centre Line tickets will be GH¢20, and Popular Stand tickets will be GH¢10.

Accra Hearts of Oak's technical team, headed by coach Didi Dramani, has bolstered their team with notable players such as Ali Mohammed, Prince Kwabena Owusu, Baba Adamu, and Frank Duku, following their loss to arch-rivals Kumasi Asante Kotoko in the President Cup by a score of 2:1 at the Accra Sports Stadium. 

The Phobia lads will count on the experience of striker Mawuli Wayo and Black Stars goalkeeper Benjamin Asare for the crucial encounter.

Heart of Lions emerged as one of the surprise packages in last season's league, earning a top-half placing on the league table. That came as a shock to some followers of the game, having struggled to avoid relegation in the previous season. Experienced coach Bashir Hayford has signed youthful players to his previous squad, including Acquah Esias, Larbie Abraham, Kojo Kuma Macaulley, and Tsorhwe James Faisal.

Since Hearts of Oak won the last edition of the Homowo Peace Cup, the Phobians have failed to win the last two trophies they have competed in (2025 MTN FA Cup, 2024-25 Ghana Premier League). 

The last time Hearts of Oak lost a cup match at the Accra Sports Stadium was on July 6, 2025, when Asante Kotoko came from behind to beat Hearts and clinch the ninth President Cup title.

Head-to-Head:
- August 11, 2024: Hearts of Oak 1-1 Heart of Lions (8-7 penalties) [2024 Homowo Peace Cup]
- September 14, 2024: Heart of Lions 2-0 Hearts of Oak (Day 2) [2024-25 Ghana Premier League]
- October 31, 2024: Hearts of Oak 1-0 Heart of Lions (Day 19) [2024-25 Ghana Premier League]

Editor: Isaac Amponsah (Dr Ike) 
Story: Aaron Kintoh