The Phobians have not won their opening league fixture since 2016, when they defeated New Edubiase United 1-0 at the Accra Sports Stadium.
That victory remains the club’s most recent success on the opening day of a Ghana Premier League campaign, adding an interesting historical angle to their upcoming meeting with Berekum Chelsea.
The 2016 victory was also significant for then newly appointed coach Kenichi Yatsuhashi, as it marked his first league game in charge of Hearts of Oak.
Yatsuhashi, a Japanese-American coach, began his competitive league tenure with the Phobians on a winning note, guiding the club to a narrow 1-0 victory over New Edubiase United.
Nearly a decade later, Hearts of Oak will be determined to produce another positive start to their league campaign and put an end to their difficult Matchday 1 record.
The encounter against Berekum Chelsea is expected to be competitive, with both sides looking to begin the campaign strongly. Hearts will be under pressure to deliver a result, particularly with supporters expecting the team to challenge seriously throughout the season.
The historical record gives the Phobians additional motivation as they seek to replicate the success of 2016 and begin their latest campaign with three points.
