PRE-MATCH BRIEFING: FC Samartex vs Asante Kotoko

Fc Samartex 1996 for the first time will welcome the defending league champions in a premier league fixture at the Nsenkyire Sports Arena in Samreboi. The Startimes cameras will also be at Samreboi for a live coverage of a premier league game for the first time in history.

Asante Kotoko play as guests to the timbers this upcoming weekend in the Matchday 22 fixture of the Betpawa Ghana premier league. The porcupines would return to action after the Matchday 21 encounter against city rivals King Faisal was postponed and would be looking to return to winning ways after the defeat to their arch-rivals.

Fc Samartex 1996 are coming off a spirited performance in a 0-0 stalemate against Accra Great Olympics. Coach Bismark Kobi’s men were prevented from scoring at home by the timber boys. The timber giants are led by black galaxies head coach Annor walker and have won their last three home games including a 1-0 win against league leaders Aduana Stars.

The porcupines recorded a 2-1 victory over the timber boys in the first league encounter at the Baba Yara Sports stadium. Samartex took the lead four minutes after halftime courtesy Prince Antwi’s strike. The timber boys lead until the 78th minute where Nicholas Mensah scored his second goal of the season as he tapped home from close range after the goalkeeper failed to keep hold of Stephen Mukwala’s free kick. In the 86th minute, Seidu Abubakar was sent off after receiving a second yellow card, Augustine Agyapong smashed home the resulting free kick to give the porcupines maximum points at home.

The Porcupines are winless in their last 9 away games and would be looking to change the narrative in a region they last recorded an away win which was on Matchday 6 against Medeama. Interestingly, Samartex also registered their last home defeat on the same Matchday 6 but have remained unbeaten in their last 8 home games.

The porcupines are boosted by the return of versatile midfielder justice Blay. 

Dickson Afoakwa, Maxwell Agyemang , Rashid Nortey and Isaac Oppong are all recovering from their respective injuries ahead of the trip to the land of timber . 

The match details as follows;

Date: Saturday, 18th March, 2023

Time: 3:00 pm

Venue: Nsenkyire Sports Arena, Samreboi