Hearts of Oak suffered a shock 0-1 loss to Basake Holy Stars on the opening weekend of the Ghana Premier League.

The Premier League debutants recorded the surprise win in a near-empty Accra Sports Stadium.

Prince Tweneboah scored the decisive goal after just two minutes with a close-range header. The centre-forward profited from some poor defending after Kelvin Osei Asibey generously flicked the ball into his path.

Hearts looked rattled by the goal, making a series of errors as a result. Amidst frustration, midfielder Samuel Amofah was booked for a two-footed challenge after twelve minutes.

Three minutes later, Amofah's disappointment grew when he missed a free header from Raphael Amponsah's cross.

Hearts continued probing and should have restored parity when Holy Stars goalkeeper Abdul Wahab spilt the ball following a clash with his captain, Ennis Boadi. However, Mawuli Wayo missed the open goal as his toe-poke came off the upright.

Hearts were nearly punished for their profligacy when Stephen Awuah Baffour went one-on-one with goalkeeper Benjamin Asare after 27 minutes. Baffour's tame, direct shot was easily gathered by Asare, who was making his Hearts of Oak debut since joining from Olympics.

Holy Stars came close again when Aboagye Dacosta missed from just inside the area. The striker shot straight at Ben Asare when he had the entire goal to aim for in the 42nd minute.

In a desperate move to rescue the game, Hearts coach Aboubakar Ouattara made two substitutions before the interval. Midfielders Salim Adams and Ramzey Abdul Yusif were replaced by Theophilus Collinson and Mohammed Huseini, respectively.

The impact was immediate, as the Phobians moved the ball much quicker, stretching their opponents at will. Within a minute, Hamza Issa went close after a well-worked chance, with the two substitutes combining to set it up.

In the 62nd minute, Holy Stars coach Abdulai Gazale brought on Stephen Baffour Awuah for Eric Ackah.

Moments later, Aboubakar Ouattara responded with two more substitutions: Mawuli Wayo made way for Stephen Appiah, while Hamza Issa was replaced by Isaac Frimpong.

Substitute Isaac Frimpong nearly made an instant impact when he tried to catch Abdul Wahab off his line, but the Holy Stars keeper was equal to the task.

Hearts continued to struggle in front of goal as Kelvin Osei Asibey headed straight into the waiting arms of Abdul Wahab from a Yahaya Adramani cross.

Despite their efforts, the Phobians' lack of coordination in attack meant they couldn't sustain momentum or create any meaningful chances.