Ghana Premier League: “Title race is far from over for Heart of Lions” – Hayford

Photo Credit: Heart of Lions Football Club

Heart of Lions’ chase for the Ghana Premier League title took a hit over the weekend when they lost 2-1 to Gold Stars at the Duns Park in a Week 21 outstanding fixture.

The defeat on Tuesday meant that the Kpando based club have lost three, drawn one and lost one of their last five league matches into the 2024/25 season. The defeat leaves Lions in the 3rd spot with 40 points, five points off the top. Kotoko sit at the summit with 45 points, one point more than Gold Stars, who occupy the second spot.

Notwithstanding the struggles in their last five games, head coach Bashir Hayford says the league title race is far from over for Heart of Lions.

"We have about ten matches left, and so 10 matches’ means 30 points,” Bashir said at a post-match conference. "It can make a difference. If somebody is leading with five points, and we have 30 points to contend with. We shouldn't have to relax and say they are leading. "It is not over. [Even] when someone leads with 10 points, you can struggle and [catch up]. It is not over, we will struggle and see what we can do," he added.

Heart of Lions have an assistant coach, Daniel Nii Adjei, who has rich experience in continental football having won the CAF Champions League with TP Mazembe. He will relish a return to continental football alongside the experienced Bashir Hayford.

Heart of Lions will hope to return to winning ways when they host Asante Kotoko at the Kpando Stadium this weekend in a Week 26 encounter.