Samartex Get Top-Four Lifeline After Hearts of Oak Pull Out
FC Samartex 1996 have secured a surprise place in the 2026 GHALCA Top Four Tournament after Hearts of Oak pulled out of the competition, citing concerns over the timing of the event and its impact on preparations for the new Ghana Premier League season.
The development was confirmed on Tuesday, August 11, after Hearts formally communicated their decision to the Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA), bringing an unexpected change to the tournament line-up just weeks before its scheduled start.
The Accra-based club said the tournament dates overlap with programmes already planned as part of its preparations for the upcoming domestic campaign. Rather than adjust its schedule around the competition, Hearts decided that withdrawing was the more practical option.
GHALCA chairman John Ansah subsequently confirmed that Samartex would occupy the vacant position. The Samreboi club finished fifth in the 2025/26 Ghana Premier League, making it the next-ranked side outside the original qualification places.
Ansah explained that Hearts had earlier approached GHALCA with a request for the tournament dates to be changed. The association, however, chose to maintain the existing timetable, partly because consistency is important in sustaining confidence among the competition’s corporate partners.
The decision also rules out Nations FC as a possible replacement. Despite securing qualification to represent Ghana in the CAF Confederation Cup, Nations FC finished outside the league’s top four. GHALCA says the competition has, for the past three seasons, followed a policy of selecting clubs based on their final league positions.
For Samartex, the invitation provides an important opportunity to increase match sharpness before the new league campaign. The tournament should also give the club’s technical team valuable minutes to assess its squad, integrate new players and test tactical options against strong domestic opposition.
