Defending champions, Bibiani Gold Stars, tightened their chase of leaders Medeama SC in the race for the 2025/26 Ghana Premier League (GPL) after beating Accra Hearts of Oak 2-1 at home yesterday to close the gap at the top to just a point after Medeama were held to a goalless stalemate in Swedru by All Blacks.

The league's leading marksman, Samuel Atta Kumi, opened the scoring in the 18th minute to give Gold Stars a halftime lead.

Henry Kwaku Manu levelled for Hearts in the 64th minute, but Augustine Boakye struck with three minutes remaining at the Dun's Park to secure all three points for the reigning champions and condemn Hearts to a first defeat in seven matches.

It is the 4th straight victory for the Miners as they grow in momentum at a crucial stage in the title race, with direct rivals all stumbling match by match.

After 24 games, Gold Stars now have 45 points to leaders Medeama's 46, while Hearts remain in third position on 40 points. Asante Kotoko complete the top on 39 points following their disappointing goalless draw against Vision FC at home.

The frustrations of the Porcupine Warriors were visible at the blast of the final whistle at the Baba Yara Stadium after their inability to break down the visitors, who played the final 21 minutes with 10 men following Mohammed Awudu’s dismissal.

With 10 games remaining, Kotoko remain seven points adrift of the leaders.

Dreams, Hohoe boost survival hopes

At the other end of the table, struggling Dreams FC and Hohoe United breathed life into their survival hopes with crucial home victories to ignite their respective campaigns.

Evergreen captain, John Antwi, scored the lone goal to beat former champions Aduana FC, who played with 10 men for over 70 minutes following Benjamin Tsivanyo's 19th minute red card at the Tuba Astro Turf Park, for their first win in six matches, while Kekeli Attor's 49th minute strike proved decisive against FC Samartex in Hohoe.

Dreams FC have moved up to 11th on the log on 30 points, three clear of the drop zone, whilst Hohoe moved a place above Young Apostles on goal difference into 16th spot on 27 points.

Meanwhile, Basake Holy Stars beat 10-man Heart of Lions 1-0 for an 8th successive home victory thanks to Prince Tweneboah's 17th minute strike, six minutes after Seedorf Asante was sent off for the visitors.

At the Golden City Park in Berekum, Benjamin Abaidoo scored 14 minutes into injury time to rescue a point for Berekum Chelsea against Young Apostles, who took a 52nd-minute lead.

Earlier Friday, Nations FC struck through Joseph Effah and Emmanuel Annor to beat the bottom side, Eleven Wonders, 2-0 in Swedru.