Hearts of Oak triumphed over city rivals Great Olympics with a 1-0 win at the University of Ghana Stadium on Friday, September 5, 2025, to claim the 2025 Democracy Cup. The victory ended a nearly five-year drought against Olympics, snapping a nine-game winless streak and marking redemption after losing 2-1 to Asante Kotoko in the inaugural edition at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The match, attended by dignitaries including former President John Dramani Mahama, who performed the ceremonial kickoff, saw a tightly contested first half. Hearts created more scoring chances but were held at bay by a resilient Olympics defense. The game’s turning point came in the 70th minute when substitute Kwesi Asmah capitalized on a precise pass, firing a clinical shot from inside the box to secure the decisive goal.
Hearts dominated the second half, with tactical substitutions boosting their tempo, though they squandered several opportunities to extend their lead. Olympics nearly equalized late in the match, but goalkeeper Sherrif Shuaib’s superb save ensured Hearts’ victory. The win earned the Phobians the Democracy Cup and a chance to face a yet-to-be-confirmed German side in an international friendly.
Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin, joined by Ga Mantse Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, presented the trophy to the jubilant Hearts squad. Coach Mas-Ud Didi Dramani now shifts focus to the Ghana Premier League, with Hearts set to open their campaign at home against Hohoe United on September 12, 2025.
