2025-26 GHANA PREMIER LEAGUE PREVIEW: ASANTE KOTOKO SEEKS REVENGE AGAINST KARELA UNITED AFTER CONTINENTAL EXIT 

• By: Isaac Amponsah (Dr Ike) and Aaron Kintoh 

Predictions: Home win/draw

Asante Kotoko will take on Karela United in a Ghana Premier League clash at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Sunday, November 2, 2025, GMT, marking Matchday 8 of the 2025-26 season. 

Asante Kotoko returns to domestic football after crashing out of the 2025-26 CAF Confederation Cup by Moroccan side Wydad AC on a 6-1 aggregate.

Asante Kotoko will look to return to winning ways in the Premier League and continue their impressive recent form against Karela United. 

A return to the Baba Yara Sports Stadium after that disappointment will be welcomed, as the Porcupines are unbeaten in two home league games this season.

It has been an indifferent start to the season for Karela United, after a 2-0 win over Bechem United made it three wins, three draws, and one loss in the Premier League this term.

 • The 2025-26 season of the Ghana League is the 63rd edition since the competition started in 1956, but the 29th edition since the inception of the Ghana Premier League on December 18, 1993 in the 1993-94 season.
 
Meanwhile, this marks the 61st appearance for Asante kotoko and the 6th appearance for Karela United (2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25, 2025-26).

• The 2025-26 season is the 12th time that Ghana elite competition have been played with 18 clubs.
• 1962-63 Accra Real Republicans
• 1963-64 Asante kotoko 
• 1975 Asante kotoko 
• 1978 Hearts of Oak 
• 1979 Hearts of Oak 
• 1980 Asante kotoko 
• 2020-21 Hearts of Oak 
• 2021-22 Asante kotoko 
• 2022-23 Medeama SC 
• 2023-24 FC Samartex 
• 2024-25 Bibiani Gold Stars 

• Since the inception of Ghana League, 106 new clubs have featured since 1956 and only fourteen (14) clubs have won the title so far with Kumasi Asante Kotoko been the most successful club with 24, followed by Accra Hearts of Oak (21), Obuasi Ashanti Gold [Goldfields] (4), Accra Great Olympics (2), Dormaa Aduana FC (2), Sekondi Eleven Wise (1), Real Republicans (1), Cape Coast Ebusua Dwarfs (1) Sekondi Hasaacas (1) Berekum Chelsea (1), Legon Cities [Wa All-Stars] (1), Medeama SC (1), FC Samartex (1) and Bibiani Gold Stars (1).

• Head-to-Head 

• 2020-21 season
Sunday February 7, 2021 (Day 13)
Karela United                 0-2 Asante Kotoko
Ibrahim Imoro 36',  Kwame Opoku 61'
Wednesday, June 23, 2021 (Day 30)
Asante Kotoko               2-1 Karela United
Emmanuel Gyamfi 21',  Fabio Gama (pen) 72'//Richard Berko 59'.

• 2021-22 season
Sunday, November 28, 2021 (Day 5)
Karela United                 0-0 Asante Kotoko
Thursday, March 31, 2022 (Day 22)
Asante Kotoko               1-1 Karela United
Franck Mbella Thierry Etouga 45+3'//Kelvin Andoh 35'
• NB: Ismail Abdul Ganiu of Asante Kotoko was red-carded in the 28th minute.

• 2022-23 season
Thursday, February 2, 2023 (Day 15)
Karela United                 1-0 Asante Kotoko
Samuel Kumi 60' (pen)
Monday, May 29, 2023 (Day 32) 
Asante Kotoko               1-1 Karela United
Mohammed Rashid (OG) 29'//Abdul Mohammed 75'

• 2023-24 season
Sunday, October 1, 2023 (Day 3)
Asante Kotoko               1-1 Karela United
Baba Yahaya 90+1'//Evans Adomako Wiredu 9'
MVP: Baba Yahaya - Asante Kotoko
Saturday, June 9, 2024 (Day 20)
Karela United                1-0 Asante Kotoko 
Ibrahim Giyasu 60'
MVP: Mohammed Abdul Ganiu - Karela United 

• 2024-25 season 
Sunday, September 8, 2024 (Day 1)
Karela United                0-1 Asante Kotoko 
Albert Amoah 35'
MVP: Mohammed Camara - Asante Kotoko
Sunday, January 26, 2025 (Day 18)
Asante kotoko              1-0 Karela United
Justice Blay 64' (pen) 

Total matches played       - 10
Asante Kotoko wins          - 4
Goals scored                      - 9
Karela United wins            - 2
Goals scored                      - 5
Drawn games                     - 4

• Karela United are winless in their five (5) visits at Asante Kotoko home grounds in the GPL since the 2020-21 season (D3 L2 GF4 GA6).

• Asante Kotoko and Karela United's last three meetings in the GPL have ended with a 1-0 scoreline:

• June 9, 2024: Karela United 1-0 Asante kotoko (Day 20) [2023-24], Ibrahim Giyasu 60'

• September 8, 2024: Karela United 0-1 Asante kotoko (Day 1) [2024-25], Albert Amoah 35'

• January 26, 2025: Asante kotoko 1-0 Karela United (Day 18) [2024-25]

• Asante Kotoko and Karela United's only November encounter in the GPL since the 2020-21 season ended in a goalless draw.
• November 28, 2021: Karela United 0-0 Asante kotoko (Day 5) [2021-22]

• Let's look at November 2 games in the GPL:

• Each of Asante kotoko games played on November 2 in the GPL has ended 1-0 scoreline since 1999 season (W2 L1 GF2 GA1):

• November 2, 2003: Great Olympics 0-1 Asante kotoko  (Day 25) [2003]

• November 2, 2013: Asante kotoko 1-0 Liberty Professionals (Day 10) [2013-14]

• November 2, 2023: Nsoatreman FC 1-0 Asante kotoko (Day 8) [2023-24]

• Sunday meetings in the GPL:

• Asante Kotoko are unbeaten in their Sunday games against Karela United in the GPL since the 2020-21 season.

• Sunday, February 7, 2021: Karela United 0-2 Asante kotoko (Day 13) [2020-21], Ibrahim Imoro 36', Kwame Opoku 61'

• Sunday, November 28, 2021: Karela United 0-0 Asante kotoko (Day 5) [2021-22]

• Sunday, October 1, 2023: Asante kotoko 1-1 Karela United (Day 3) [2023-24], Baba Yahaya 90+1'//Evans Adomako Wiredu 9'

• Sunday, September 8, 2024: Karela United 0-1 Asante kotoko (Day 1) [2024-25], Albert Amoah 35'

• Sunday, January 26, 2025: Asante kotoko 1-0 Karela United (Day 18) [2024-25], Justice Blay 64' (pen)

• Other competitive games.

• 2017 Nkrumah's Cup
Karela United                 1-0 Asante Kotoko

• 2018 Season (Abandoned)
Wednesday, May 2, 2018 (Day 11)
Venue: Cam Park
Karela United                 3-1 Asante Kotoko
Ibrahim Moro, Abdul Ganiyu (pen), Maxwell Baakoh//Songne Yacouba
MVP: Maxwell Baakoh - Karela United

• 2019 NC Cup (Tier 1) [Grand-finals]
Asante Kotoko               1-1 Karela United
• NB: Asante Kotoko won 4-1 on penalties.

• 2019-20 season (truncated)
Friday, March 6, 2020 (Day 13)
Venue: Akon Park in Tarkwa
Karela United                 0-1 Asante Kotoko 
William Opoku Mensah 4'
MVP: Emmanuel Keyekeh - Karela United

• 2023-24 season
Monday, February 12, 2024 (FA Cup) [Round of 16] 
Karela United                 2-0 Asante Kotoko

• Head-to-Head in all competitions
Total matches played       - 15
Asante Kotoko wins         - 5
Goals scored                      - 12                             
Karela United wins            - 5
Goals scored                      - 13                     
Drawn games                     - 5

• Current Form:

• Asante kotoko are unbeaten in their last four games in the GPL (W2 D2 GF3 GA0).
• 13/09/25 Berekum Chelsea 0-1 Asante kotoko  (Day 1) [2025-26]
• 05/10/25 Asante kotoko      0-0 Heart of Lions (Day 4) [2025-26]
• 08/10/25 Asante kotoko      2-0 Bibiani Gold Stars (Day 2) [2025-26]
• 11/10/25 Nations FC            0-0 Asante kotoko (Day 5) [2025-26]

• The last time Asante kotoko lost a game in the competition was June 8, 2025 in match Day 34 in the 2024-25 season against Vision FC (3-1).

• Karela United are unbeaten in their last three games in the GPL (W1 D2 GF3 GA1).
• 12/10/25 Karela United    1-1 Berekum Chelsea (Day 5) [2025-26]
• 20/10)25 Eleven Wonders 0-0 Karela United (Day 6) [2025-26]
• 26/10/25 Karela United     2-0 Bechem United (Day 7) [2025-26]

• The last time Karela United lost a game in the competition was October 5, 2025 in match Day 4 in the 2025-26 season against Hohoe United (4-1).

• Mohammed Camara (GK) and Dari Aziz Haruna (GK) of Asante Kotoko have kept 2 clean sheets each after Match Day 7 games in the ongoing season.

• Abdul Ganiu Mohammed (GK) and Daniel Afadzwu (GK) of Karela United have kept 2 clean sheets each after Match Day 7 games in the GPL.

• A total of seven players from Asante Kotoko and Karela United have scored 10 goals combined after Match Day 7 games.

• 3 goals (1 player)
• Bless Ege (Karela United)

• 2 goals (1 player)
• Albert Amoah (Asante kotoko)

• 1 goal (5 players)
• Peter Amidu Acquah (Asante kotoko)
• Malik Abubakari (Karela United)
• Zaidan Mohammed (Karela United)
• Felix Mortu (Karela United)
• Abdul Raman Yaya (Karela United)

• A total of six players from Asante Kotoko and Karela United have been awarded eight MVPs after Match Day 7 games of the ongoing season.

• 2 MVPs (2 players)
• Albert Amoah (Asante kotoko)
• Zaidan Mohammed (Karela United)

• 1 MVPs (4 players)
• Hubert "Abiekuta" Gyau (Asante kotoko)
• Faisal Gariba (Karela United)
• Ali Alhassan (Karela United)
• Abdul Raman Yaya (Karela United)

• Match Facts:

• Asante Kotoko are unbeaten in their home games against teams based in the Northern Region in the GPL since the 2021-22 season (W3 D3 GF9 GA3).
• 15/12/21 Asante kotoko 1-1 RTU (Day 8) [2021-22]
• 02/04/23 Asante kotoko 4-0 RTU (Day 25) [2022-23]
• 30/04/23 Asante kotoko 1-1 Tamale City (Day 29) [2022-23]
• 01/10/23 Asante kotoko 1-1 Karela United (Day 3) [2023-24]
• 24/12/23 Asante kotoko 1-0 RTU (Day 16) [2023-24]
• 26)01/25 Asante kotoko 1-0 Karela United (Day 18) [2024-25]

• The last time Asante Kotoko lost a home game against a team based in the Northern Region in the GPL was on February 25, 2007 [18 years ago] in Match Day 24 of the 2006-07 season against RTU (0-1), courtesy of Sulemana Faizer's 87th-minute goal at the Robert Mensah Sports Stadium in Cape Coast. On the 50th minute, Asante Kotoko were awarded a penalty, but their player, Emmanuel Osei Kuffour, missed the spot-kick, hitting the side post.

• The Asante Kotoko vs. RTU football match on February 25, 2007, was played at the Robert Mensah Sports Stadium in Cape Coast because the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, Asante Kotoko's usual home ground, was undergoing renovation works at the time. 
These renovations were part of Ghana's preparations to host the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament, for which the Baba Yara Sports Stadium was a designated venue. Consequently, Asante Kotoko was forced to use alternative stadiums, such as the one in Cape Coast, for their home matches in the domestic league during that period.

• Karela United has played 12 away games against teams based in the Ashanti Region in the GPL since the 2020-21 season (W1 D6 L5 GF7 GA9).
• 15/11/20 Ashanti Gold    2-2 Karela United (Day 1) [2020-21]
• 02/05/21 King Faisal       1-1 Karela United (Day 22) [2020-21]
• 23/06/21 Asante Kotoko 2-1 Karela United (Day 30) [2020-21]
• 06/11/21 Ashanti Gold    1-1 Karela United (Day 2) [2021-22]
• 14/01/22 King Faisal       0-2 Karela United (Day 13) [2021-22]
• 31/03/22 Asante Kotoko 1-1 Karela United (Day 22) [2021-22]
• 29/03/23 King Faisal        3-2 Karela United (Day 24) [2022-23]
• 29/05/23 Asante Kotoko 1-1 Karela United (Day 32) (2022-23)
• 01/10/23 Asante Kotoko 1-1 Karela United (Day 3) [2023-24]
• 25/11/23 Nations FC       1-0 Karela United (Day 12) [2023-24]
• 26/01/25 Asante kotoko 1-0 Karela United (Day 18) [2024-25]
• 07/04/25 Nations FC       1-0 Karela United (Day 26) [2024-25]

• Karela United has conceded in each of their last seven away games against teams based in the Ashanti Region in the GPL (9 goals in 7 games).

• Asante Kotoko are unbeaten in their Match Day 8 home games in the GPL since the 1999 season.
2003      Asante Kotoko 4-0 Mines Stars
2005      Asante Kotoko 1-1 Power FC 
2006-07 Asante Kotoko 0-0 King Faisal
2008-09 Asante Kotoko 3-0 RTU
2009-10 Asante Kotoko 1-1 King Faisal
2011-12 Asante Kotoko 4-1 Wassaman United
2013-14 Asante Kotoko 2-1 Berekum Chelsea
2014-15 Asante Kotoko 0-0 WAFA
2020-21 Asante Kotoko 2-0 Liberty Professionals 
2021-22 Asante kotoko 1-1 RTU
W5   D5   GF18   GA5

• Asante Kotoko are winless in the last four seasons' Match Day 8 games in the GPL (D2 L2 GF3 GA5).
• Asante kotoko            1-1 RTU (2021-22)
• RTU                               2-1 Asante kotoko (2022-23)
• Nsoatreman FC          1-0 Asante kotoko (2023-24)
• Basake Holy Stars     1-1 Asante kotoko (2024-25)

• Asante Kotoko have conceded in the last four seasons' Match Day 8 games in the GPL (conceding 5 goals in 4 games).

• Karela United are winless in each of their Match Day 8 games in the GPL since the 2020-21 season (D2 L3 GF3 GA8).
• Eleven Wonders         3-1 Karela United (2020-21)
• Dreams FC                  3-1 Karela United (2021-22)
• FC Samartex               1-0 Karela United (2022-23)
• Karela United              1-1 Bibiani Gold Stars (2023-24)
• Bechem United           0-0 Karela United

• The first time Asante Kotoko lost at Home in the GPL since 1999 is March 24, 1999 in match Day 5 in the 1999 season against Power FC (0-1).

- Since then, Kotoko has played 344 games at Home in the GPL. 
W227   D71   L46  GF556   GA223

• The last time Kotoko lost at Home in the GPL is November 17, 2024 in match Day 11 in the 2024-25 season against Nations FC (0-2).

- Since then, Kotoko have played 13 home games (1,170 mins) so far in the GPL: W11 D2 L0 GF23 GA5.

• Asante Kotoko have lost 47 out of 348 home games so far in the GPL since the 1999 season.

• Asante Kotoko have played 348 home games in the GPL since the 1999 season: W230 D71 L47 GF561 GA225.

• The first time Karela United won an Away game in the GPL is February 14, 2021 in match Day 14 in the 2020-21 season against Ebusua Dwarfs (1-2).

- Since then, Karela have played 80 Away games so far in the GPL.
W10  D22    L48   GF50     GA107

• The last time Karela United won an Away game in the GPL is May 4, 2025 in match Day 30 in the 2024-25 season against Bibiani Gold Stars (0-1).

- Since then, Karela have played 4 Away game (360 mins) so far in the GPL.
D2 L2 GF2  GA6

• Karela United have so far played 88 Away games in the GPL since 2020-21 season.
W11   D27  L50   GF57   GA76

• Asante Kotoko home matches in the month of November in the GPL since the 1999 season.
11/11/01 Asante Kotoko   1-1 Berekum Arsenal
25/11/01 Asante Kotoko   2-1 Maxbees 
03/11/02 Asante Kotoko   1-0 Goldfields
10/11/02 Asante Kotoko   2-1 Liberty Professionals
05/11/03 Asante Kotoko   2-1 Stay Cool
23/11/03 Asante Kotoko   1-0 King Faisal
07/11/04 Asante Kotoko   1-0 King Faisal
17/11/04 Asante Kotoko   4-0 Ashanti Gold
13/11/05 Asante Kotoko   1-0 Berekum Arsenal
01/11/06 Asante Kotoko   0-0 King Faisal
12/11/06 Asante Kotoko   2-1 Real Sportive
26/11/06 Asante Kotoko   1-0 Ashanti Gold
01/11/09 Asante Kotoko   2-2 Berekum Arsenal
18/11/09 Asante Kotoko   2-1 RTU
29/11/09 Asante Kotoko   1-1 King Faisal
14/11/10 Asante Kotoko   1-2 New Edubiase United 
28/11/10 Asante Kotoko   2-3 Berekum Chelsea 
09/11/11 Asante Kotoko   1-0 Mighty Jets
27/11/11 Asante Kotoko   4-1 Wassaman United
18/11/12 Asante Kotoko   0-0 Hearts of Oak
28/11/12 Asante Kotoko   0-0 Edubiase United
02/11/13 Asante Kotoko   1-0 Liberty Professionals
13/11/13 Asante Kotoko   3-0 King Faisal
15/11/20 Asante Kotoko   1-1 Eleven Wonders
07/11/21 Asante Kotoko   2-0 Bechem United 
20/11/21 Asante Kotoko   2-0 Eleven Wonders
06/11/22 Asante Kotoko   2-1 FC Samartex
16/11/22 Asante Kotoko  1-1 Legon Cities
05/11/23 Asante Kotoko  0-1 Dreams FC 
19/11/23 Asante Kotoko  1-0 Medeama SC
03/11/24 Asante Kotoko   0-1 Heart of Lions 
17/11/24 Asante kotoko   0-2 Nations FC 
W19   D8   L5   GF44   GA22

• Karela United's away matches in the month of November in the GPL since November 15, 2020, when they had their first game in the competition.
15/11/20 Ashanti Gold       2-2 Karela United 
07/11/21 Ashanti Gold       1-1 Karela United  
22/11/21 Medeama            2-0 Karela United
13/11/22 Hearts of Oak     0-0 Karela United 
20/11/22 FC Samartex      1-0 Karela United 
10/11/23 Accra Lions        2-1 Karela United 
25/11/23 Nations FC         1-0 Karela United 
10/11/24 Aduana FC          1-0 Karela United
24/11/24 Dreams FC          0-1 Karela United 
W1  D3  L5   GF5  GA10

• NB: Anytime Karela United concede in an away match in the month of November in the GPL, they don't win.

• The last away team to prevent Asante Kotoko from scoring at home in the Ghana Premier League was Heart of Lions, who secured a goalless draw on  October 5, 2025 in Match day 4 of the 2025-26 season.

• Asante Kotoko have kept 314 clean sheets out of 696 games in the GPL since 1999.

• Karela United have so far kept 60 CLEAN SHEETS out of 177 games in the GPL since 2020-21 season.

• Asante Kotoko have won the Ghana league title on 24 occasions since the competition started in 1958.

• Karela United Best position in the GPL since 2020-21 season is 4th with 52 points in the 2021-22 season.

• Asante Kotoko's worst performance in the Ghana league since 1956  was indeed 11th place out of a 15-club league in the 1970 season.

• Karela United worse performance in the GPL is 14th with 41 points in the 2024-25 season.

• Asante Kotoko currently sit 9th with 8 points after Match Day 7, having three games in hand against Basake Holy Stars, Young Apostles, and Vision FC. Meanwhile, Karela United are 7th with 12 points in the Ghanaian top-flight league table.