GHALCA Top 4: Hearts of Oak coach Didi Dramani reflects on nerve wracking loss to GoldStars

Head coach of Hearts of Oak, Mas Ud Didi Dramani has reacted to their nerve wracking game against GoldStars in the second match of the 2025 GHALCA Top Four.

Hearts of Oak fought back twice to hold reigning Ghana Premier League champions GoldStars to a 2-2 draw but lost 5-4 in the penalty shootout after full time on Friday.

GoldStars led twice through Samuel Atta Kumi, first from the penalty spot in the 18th minute before the second came in the 34th minute.

The Phobians pulled one back through George Paaku before the break and substitute Mohammed Hussein tapped in Martin Karikari’s low cross in the second half.

Didi Dramani said: “It’s not a bad day. Losing is part of it and we’ve learned a lot from it. Those are the good points we take from here.

“I think we lost some spaces both defensively and offensively, but in the latter part of the game we were able to rectify this, so we took control and that is how we were able to score the equalizer,” Dramani reflected after the match.

The rules of the game stipulates that a drawn game will be decided by penalty shootouts of which GoldStars won heading into the final match against Heart of Lions.

The winner via the penalty shootouts earns an additional point and that sends GoldStars on five points with Hearts of Oak on four, Heart of Lions sit third on three points after beating Kotoko. The Porcupine Warriors are bottom with no points.

The last round of games take place on Sunday August 24 where Hearts of Oak and Kotoko will clash.