FC Samartex 1996 begin their Ghana Premier League title defence with a trip to Accra to face Dreams FC on Saturday September 7, 2024.
The defending champions will hope for a winning to the 2024-25 Premier League campaign when they make the long journey to the Accra Sports to battle Dreams FC.
FC Samartex overcame Cameroonian side Victoria United to the advance to the final preliminary stage of the 2024-25 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League.
Last season's TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup semi-finalist, Dreams FC, will kick start their campaign without influential youngster Abdul Aziz Issah. The talented youngster has earned a dream move to Barcelona B following his impressive run in the domestic and continental campaigns for the Believers.
Dreams FC finished 9th on the league table last season after accumulating 48 points, scored 44 and conceded 38 goals. The Still Believe lads were the third best home side last season, as they lost just twice at home and secured 37 points in their 17 home league matches. Head Coach Abdul Karim Zito side goes into this fixture with a winning streak of four matches at home.
FC Samartex 1996 started their campaign on a good note by eliminating Cameroonian side Victoria United in the CAF Champions League preliminary stage, and also won the champion of champions cup after beating Nsoatreman FC 1-0 at the newly constructed T n A stadium in Tarkwa. They will be eager to defend the title this season. The Timber Giants recorded 61 points, won 19, drawn 4, lost 11, scored 45 and conceded 28 goals last season. FC Samartex 1996 are winless in their last 5 consecutive away league games.
Dreams FC won their first home league game last season against Nations FC as defending champions FC Samartex 1996 suffered a 2-0 defeat to Nations FC in their first away game prior to this encounter.
Dreams FC have played FC Samartex 1996 twice at home in the league since the Timber Giants gained promotion into the Premiership in the 2022/23 season with Dreams FC unbeaten in both encounters winning one and drawing one. In the 2022/23 season Dreams FC won 2-0 against FC Samartex 1996 and drawn 2-2 in the 2023/24 season.
Dreams FC can count on Derrick Agyei, Benjamin Bature, Eric Boateng, Dede Ishmael, Joseph Esso, Sulemana Suhuyini, newly signed Rocky Dwamena, former Hearts of Oak shot stopper Richmond Ayi and Tamale City forward Yaro Isaac, who scored 17 goals last season in the Division One League. He is expected to make his Premier League bow against the Timber giants.
Emmanuel Mamah, Ebenezer Acquah, Isaac Afful, Richmond Darko, Francis Gyetuah, Samuel Tetteh Mensah, James Sewornu, Baba Kushibo, Lord Hilary Adabo, Akwesi Sarpong, Kofi Abgesimah, Mohammed Alhassan Mankuyeli and Isaac Baffoe are all available for FC Samartex 1996.
Baba Kushibo, Lord Hilary Adobo and Mohammed Alahssan Mankuyeli will make their premier league debut for the Timba Giants after signing from Real Tamale United while former Hearts of Oak defender, Kofi Agbesimah is also expected to start.
Vision FC set for Premier League bow
Access Bank Division One league Zone Three champions, Vision FC, are ready to rub shoulders with the stars in the Premier league for the first time in their club history when they face Berekum Chelsea at the Nii Adjei II Sports Complex.
The 'Ewo Keke' lads clinched the 2024 Division One Super Cup at the expense of Okwahu United at the Nana Kronamansah Park in Nsuatre.
Vision FC will be eager to begin their Premier League campaign in front of their home crowd, who have had plenty to celebrate in recent times after seeing their side lose just one of their 15 home games last season in Zone Three.
Speaking of new beginnings, last season Premier league third placed Berekum Chelsea, who managed to secure 51 points, will also aim for a positive start to the new season as they suffered a 3-1 defeat to Karela United in their first away league match last season.
Among the top ten (10) best teams in the league last season, Berekum Chelsea were the side with most goals considered (41). The Berekum lads won 15, drawn 6 and suffered 13 defeats last season. Berekum Chelsea will be highly focused heading into this encounter to avoid a defeat to the newly promoted side.
Vision FC is playing Berekum Chelsea at home for the first time in their debut Premier League 2024/25 campaign.
Vision FC goes into the game with quality players like Labaran Majeed Alidu, Issah Kuka, Adamu Amadu, Emmanuel Essel, Frank Duku, Kingsley Appiah, Emmanuel Kyei Baffour, Henry Lamptey, Habib Ganiyu, Gideon Ofori Offei, Emmanuel Atta Frimpong, Yaw Nana Osei, Joshua Kwame Rhule, Suraj Musah and Patrick Mensah.
Last season Premier League top scorer Stephen Amankonah is expected to form a formidable attacking trio with Afriyie Mezack and Emmanuel Sarpong up front. Hubert Gyau, Zakaria Fuseini, Ahmed Adams, Kuffour Asamoah, Vincent Adjei, Collins Ameyaw, Frank Oppong, Osei Owusu and Awuah Dramani are all fit for the game on Sunday.
The remaining seven matches will take place across all centres on Sunday September 8, 2024.
GFA Communications