Heart of Lions enter 2025 at the top of the Ghanaian Premiership and they face Bechem United at Nana Gyeabour Park on the first Sunday of the year.
Despite losing multiple key faces over the summer, expectations were still high for Kwaku Danso's squad and they've won all their matches over the past five weeks.
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The Lions continue to boast a healthy buffer at the summit and they can extend their advantage over second-place Asante Kotoko to six points if they win in Tano South district of the Ahafo of Ghana.
Bashir Hayford's side have barely put a foot wrong during the first half of the season and are set to compete on multiple fronts down the stretch. They, of course, were in a daring position last year as they nearly faded off to relegation by a whisker, so the veteran Ghanaian tactical master will be keen to oversee an alternate conclusion to the campaign.
Heart of Lions last-minute win over Young Apostles on Boxing Day means they've won eight, drawn six and lost one of their opening 15 league games and are on course for 'their best' season.
Sunday's opponents, Bechem United have steadied over the past weeks and they are charged under Kwaku Danso. The Hunters are unbeaten since they lost at Bibiani Gold Stars (matchday 5) on October 6, but the jury is still out on their Bechem indigene coach.
They've been fortunate to earn positive results in their previous two outings against wounded' Legon Cities and Samartex, but their uptick means they enter Sunday's contest 5th in the table with 26 points.
Bechem United possible starting lineup (4-1-4-1):
Aziz (GK) (C), Abban, Abdulai, Acheampong, Acquah, Mensah A.A, Nyarko, Owusu C, Owusu E, Tompuo, Yeboah
Heart of Lions possible starting lineup (4-2-3-1):
Osei (G) (C); Addo, Ali, Anim, Boateng C, Danso, Hennessy, Obeng Junior, Oppong. Pong, Sakyi
We say: Bechem 1-2 Heart of Lions
These two sides faced off in the Premier League earlier last year, drawing 1-1 at Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park. This should be a closer game given that both club's are hosting their first outing of 2025, but Danso's side will require the Lions to be drastically off-colour to snatch a point.
The Hunters, in short, haven't been very bad. It's hard to pinpoint exactly what they do well. Danso has shown some tactical dexterity, but Bechem United remain a sub-par team without the ball and reliant on the energy and craft of Augustine Okrah for attacking inspiration.
Although their midfield is an eminence, Heart of Lions should have their way with them on Sunday. However, hints of Lions fatigue may render this bout closer than what you might project.
By: Pascal Amoah
