Former Black Stars striker, George Alhassan has ignited the build-up to the 2025 Democracy Cup by declaring his former side, Great Olympics, as the true “landlords of Accra.”
While supporters of both Accra Hearts of Oak and Great Olympics routinely claim to be the city’s landlords, Alhassan insists there’s no argument: Olympics hold the keys.
Speaking in an interview with GhanaWeb’s Joel Eshun, the 1982 AFCON hero stressed that the city rivalry between Olympics and Hearts of Oak is more than just a football match.
“Olympics are the landlords of Greater Accra and Hearts are the tenants, so it is going to be a very difficult match,” Alhassan said ahead of the 2025 Democracy Cup.
Ticket prices announced ahead of Hearts of Oak vs Great Olympics Democracy Cup showdown
Although he acknowledged the magnitude of the game, Alhassan backed his former club to win the title.
“Olympic is in Division One but that doesn’t matter. Olympics and Hearts matches are difficult to predict but I wish Olympics win,” he added.
The remarks add spice to the highly anticipated fixture between Hearts of Oak and city rivals Great Olympics in the second edition of the Democracy Cup, scheduled for September 5, 2025, at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium.
The Democracy Cup, introduced in 2024, is a parliamentary initiative that leverages football’s popularity to promote democratic values, civic participation, and peaceful coexistence.
This year’s event will feature an exciting curtain-raiser between Parliament’s football team, captained by Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga, and the Judiciary’s team before the main clash between Hearts and Olympics.
Alhassan, affectionately nicknamed “Jair” after Brazilian legend Jairzinho, remains one of Ghana’s most celebrated strikers. He starred in Ghana’s AFCON triumphs in 1978 and 1982, finishing as top scorer in the latter with four goals.
At club level, he enjoyed a successful career with Great Olympics from 1974 to 1982, helping them win the league title in his debut season. He later returned to the club between 1985 and 1990 after stints in Gabon and South Korea.
Watch the interview below:
FKA/JE
GhanaWeb’s latest documentary, Sex for Fish, that explores the plights of teenage girls in coastal communities, all in an attempt to survive, is out. Watch it below:
