2025-26 GHANA PREMIER LEAGUE PREVIEW: KUMASI KOTOKO AWAITS HOMECOMING TEST AGAINST KPANDO HEART OF LIONS 

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

Predictions: Home win/draw

Kumasi Asante Kotoko are waiting for a Premier League home win this season as they prepare to host Heart of Lions in a Week 4 fixture on Sunday, October 5, 2025, at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium. 

Heart of Lions have enjoyed their recent games against Kotoko both home and away in their last four meetings.

Asante Kotoko will hope a 1-0 win over Kwara United in the CAF Confederation Cup helps to spark some life into their Premier League campaign. 

The Porcupines' three points after Week 1 fixture came with two outstanding games yet to be played, postponed due to their Africa campaign.

Heart of Lions have enjoyed a fruitful start to the Ghana Premier League season, having collected all nine points, making them unbeaten and searching for their fourth straight win in their history. They're currently leading the league table and looking to extend their winning streak.

On the back of four consecutive losses, Kotoko are looking to improve in a clash with their former manager Bashiru Hayford, who arrives with high-flying Heart of Lions.

Pre-match interviews with both coaches ahead of the encounter.

“Playing them, whether home or away, it won’t be easy. But we have set our target to win the league, and they are one of the teams we must overcome,” Zito told the club’s media.

At all costs, we should do our best to win this game,” he added.

Kumasi Asante Kotoko's starting lineup that played in their win against Berekum Chelsea in Berekum in Week 1 is below:

- Goalkeeper: Mohammed Camara
- Musa Hamzata
- Samaba Gilbani
- Patrick Asiedu
- Joseph Ablorh
- Philip Amoh
- Lord Hilary Adabo
- Emmanuel Antwi
- Seth Kwadwo
- Kwame Poku
- Albert Amoah

The match ended 0-1 in favor of Asante Kotoko, with Albert Amoah scoring the winning goal in the 80th minute.

Heart of Lions' starting lineup for their league opener is as follows:

- Goalkeeper: Lawrence Osei
- Ruben Hennessy
- Captain: Ebenezer Abban
- Ishmael Addo
- Paul Attah Agyei
- Junior Kwadwo Obeng
- Bismark Anim
- Fawzi Ali
- Yaw Danso
- Samuel Boamah Quansah
- Chauncy Freeman

The visitors' manager has made one change to his starting lineup after their opening game against Dreams at home. Etse Dogli has cemented his position, replacing Fawzi Ali, for the Week 2 away game against Eleven Wonders.

Five players have played the full 90 minutes for the team in their three matches: goalkeeper Lawrence Osei, defenders Ruben Hennessy and Ishmael Addo, and midfielders Yaw Danso and Bismark Anim. This consistency has made them difficult to beat.

This highly anticipated match pits Asante Kotoko, seeking to reclaim home supremacy, against Heart of Lions, determined to maintain their flawless start. 

With both teams riding high on momentum, this clash promises to be an intense battle that could shape the trajectory of the 2025-26 season.

 • 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 15th appearance for Heart of Lions.

• 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 since 2003 season. 

• Their first league game was played on July 20, 2003, in a Match Day 9 fixture in the 2003 season at the then Kpando Park, where the Lions won by a lone goal.

• 2003 season
Heart of Lions               1-0 Asante Kotoko
Asante Kotoko              3-0 Heart of Lions

• 2005 season
Asante Kotoko              1-0 Heart of Lions
Heart of Lions               0-1 Asante Kotoko 

• 2006-07 season
Asante Kotoko              0-1 Heart of Lions 
Heart of Lions               1-1 Asante Kotoko

• 2007-08 season
Asante Kotoko              3-2 Heart of Lions
Heart of Lions               1-2 Asante Kotoko 

• 2008-09 season
Heart of Lions               1-2 Asante Kotoko 
Asante Kotoko              0-1 Heart of Lions 

• 2009-10 season
Heart of Lions               1-0 Asante Kotoko
Asante Kotoko              1-1 Heart of Lions

• 2010-11 season
Asante Kotoko              0-0 Heart of Lions
Heart of Lions               2-2 Asante Kotoko 

• 2011-12 season
Asante Kotoko              2-0 Heart of Lions
Heart of Lions               0-0 Asante Kotoko

• 2012-13 season
Asante Kotoko              1-1 Heart of Lions
Heart of Lions               1-2 Asante Kotoko 

• 2013-14 season
Heart of Lions               2-0 Asante Kotoko
Asante Kotoko              0-1 Heart of Lions 

• 2014-15 season
Asante Kotoko              4-0 Heart of Lions
Heart of Lions               3-1 Asante Kotoko

• 2023-24 season 
Sunday, September 17, 2023 (Day 1)
Asante Kotoko              0-0 Heart of Lions 
MVP: Nurudeen Yussif Mohammed - Asante Kotoko 
Saturday, February 24, 2024 (Day 18)
Heart of Lions               1-0 Asante Kotoko 
Godfred Kwadwo Asamoah 52'
NB: Nicholas Mensah (Asante Kotoko) was red carded 
MVP: Thomas Kwabena Osae (GK) - Heart of Lions 

• 2024-25 season
Sunday, November 3, 2024 (Day 9) 
Asante Kotoko              0-1 Heart of Lions 
Kwadwo Obeng Junior 28'
MVP: Kwadwo Obeng Junior - Heart of Lions 
Sunday April 6, 2025 (Day 26) 
Heart of Lions               1-1 Asante Kotoko
Fawzi Ali 67'//Justice Blay 45+3'
MVP: Ishmael Addo - Heart of Lions 

Total matches played      - 26
Asante Kotoko wins         - 9
Goals scored                     - 26
Heart of Lions wins          - 9
Goals scored                     - 23
Drawn games                    - 8

• Asante Kotoko are winless in their last five games against Heart of Lions in the GPL (D2 L3 GF2 GA6).

• Heart of Lions have won four out of their 13 visits to Asante Kotoko's home grounds in the GPL since the 2003 season (W4 D4 L5 GF8 GA15).

• The last time Heart of Lions won at Asante Kotoko's home grounds in the GPL was on Sunday, November 3, 2024, in Match Day 9 of the 2024-25 season at the Len Clay Stadium, courtesy of Kwadwo Obeng Junior's goal in the 28th minute.

• The last time Heart of Lions won an away game against Asante Kotoko at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in the GPL was on March 26, 2014, in Match Day 22 of the 2013-14 season (0-1), 11 years ago.

• Current Form:

• Asante Kotoko have lost once in their last five games in the GPL (W3 D1 L1 GF9 GA6).

• 18/05/25 Asante kotoko        4-1 Dreams FC (Day 31) [2024-25]
• 25/05/25 Bibiani Gold Stars 0-0 Asante kotoko (Day 32) [2024-25]
• 01/06/25 Asante kotoko       3-2 Medeama SC (Day 33) [2024-25]
• 08/06/25 Vision FC               3-1 Asante kotoko (Day 34) [2024-25]
• 13/09/25 Berekum Chelsea 0-1 Asante kotoko (Day 1) [2025-26]

• Heart of Lions are unbeaten in their last five (5) games in the GPL (W5 GF10 GA2).
• 01/06/25 Heart of Lions   2-1 Bechem United (Day 33) [2024-25]
• 08/06/25 Nations FC         0-2 Heart of Lions (Day 34) [2024-25]
• 14/09/25 Heart of Lions    1-0 Dreams FC (Day 1) [2025-26]
• 20/09/25 Eleven Wonders 1-4 Heart of Lions (Day 2) [2025-26]
• 28/09/25 Heart of Lions    1-0 Bechem United (Day 3) [2025-26]

• The last time Heart of Lions lost a game in the competition was on May 25, 2025, in Match Day 32 of the 2024-25 season, against Young Apostles (3-1).

• Mohammed Camara (GK) of Asante Kotoko has kept 1 clean sheet after 3 matchdays in the ongoing GPL season.

• Lawrence Osei (GK) of Heart of Lions has kept 2 clean sheets after 3 matchdays in the GPL.

• A total of seven players from Asante Kotoko and Heart of Lions have scored 7 goals combined after 3 matchdays.

• 1 goal (7 players)
- Albert Amoah (Asante kotoko)
- Ebenezer Abban (Heart of Lions)
- Paul Attah Agyei (Heart of Lions)
- Chauncey Freeman (Heart of Lions)
- Ishmael Addo (Heart of Lions)
- Macaulley Kojo Kuma (Heart of Lions)
- Michael Ephson (Heart of Lions)

• A total of four players from Asante Kotoko and Heart of Lions have been awarded 4 MVP awards after Match Day 3 games of the ongoing season.

• 1 MVPs (4 players)
- Albert Amoah (Asante kotoko)
- Lawrence Osei [GK] (Heart of Lions)
- Etse Doglie (Heart of Lions)
- Samuel Boamah Quansah (Heart of Lions)

• Match Facts:

• Asante Kotoko have played 18 home games against teams based in the Volta Region in the GPL since the 2003 season (W8 D4 L4 GF20 GA10).
• Heart of Lions have played 43 away games against teams based in the Ashanti Region in the GPL since the 2003 season (W6 D11 L26 GF33 GA73).

• Here are some of the notable teams from the Volta Region that have featured in the Ghana League:
Teams from the Volta Region:
1. Ho Volta Heroes (1962-63)
2. Ho Mighty Eagles (1967)
3. Ho Sunset (1967)
4. Volta United (1973)
5. Volta Juantex (1978)
6. Arnold Warriors, Apeguso (1985)
7. Ho Voradep (1989-90)
8. Kpando Heart of Lions (2003)
9. West African Football Academy (WAFA) (2014-15)
10. Hohoe United (2025-26)

These teams have represented the Volta Region in the top-flight league of Ghanaian football.
   
• Asante Kotoko are unbeaten in their match Day 4 Home games in the GPL since the 1999 season.
2002      Asante Kotoko 2-0 Mines Stars
2003      Asante Kotoko 4-0 BA United
2005      Asante Kotoko 2-0 Sekondi Hasaacas
2006-07 Asante Kotoko 1-0 Swedru All Blacks
2008-09 Asante Kotoko 3-1 Liberty Professionals 
2009-10 Asante Kotoko 2-2 Berekum Arsenal
2011-12 Asante Kotoko 2-0 Hearts of Oak
2014-15 Asante Kotoko 1-0 Inter-Allies
2021-22 Asante kotoko 2-0 Techiman Eleven Wonders 
W8   D1  GF19   GA3 

• Heart of Lions Day 4 Away games in the GPL since the 2003 season.
2006-07 Liberty Professionals 2-1 Heart of Lions 
2007-08 Sekondi Hasaacas     1-0 Heart of Lions 
2009-10 Aduana FC                   1-0 Heart of Lions 
2011-12 Asante kotoko             2-0 Heart of Lions 
2013-14 Medeama SC               0-1 Heart of Lions 
W1 L4 GF2 GA6

• Let's look at match Day 4 meetings:

• Asante Kotoko won their only Match Day 4 game against Heart of Lions in the GPL since the 2003 season.
October 30, 2011 (Match Day 4) [2011-12]: Asante Kotoko 2-0 Heart of Lions.

• 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 342 games at Home in the GPL. 
W226   D70   L46  GF554   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 11 home games (990 mins) so far in the GPL: W10 D1 L0 GF21 GA5.

• Asante Kotoko have lost 47 out of 346 home games so far in the GPL since the 1999 season.

• Asante Kotoko have played 346 home games in the GPL since the 1999 season: W229 D70 L47 GF559 GA225.

• The first time Heart of Lions won an away game in the GPL was on May 25, 2003, in Match Day 3 of the 2003 season against Stay Cool (0-1).

- Since then, Heart of Lions have played 205 away games (18,450 mins) so far in the GPL: W40 D50 L115 GF172 GA295

- The last time Heart of Lions won an away game in the GPL was on September 20, 2025, in Match Day 2 of the 2025-26 season against Techiman Eleven Wonders (1-4).
- Since then, Heart of Lions haven’t played away games in the GPL.

- Heart of Lions have so far played 207 away games in the GPL since the 2003 season: W41 D50 L116 GF174 GA298

- Asante Kotoko's home matches in the month of October in the GPL since the 1999 season.
11/10/00 Asante Kotoko 2-1 Sekondi Hasaacas
14/10/01 Asante Kotoko 3-3 Sekondi Hasaacas
28/10/01 Asante Kotoko 0-1 King Faisal ***
29/10/03 Asante Kotoko 3-0 Okwawu United
13/10/04 Asante Kotoko 2-0 Bofoakwa Tano
24/10/04 Asante Kotoko 4-0 Berekum Arsenal
23/10/05 Asante Kotoko 1-0 Feyenoord
30/10/05 Asante Kotoko 2-0 King Faisal
15/10/06 Asante Kotoko 0-1 Heart of Lions 
21/10/09 Asante Kotoko 2-1 Eleven Wise 
03/10/10 Asante Kotoko 0-0 Heart of Lions
17/10/10 Asante Kotoko 2-1 RTU
31/10/10 Asante Kotoko 0-1 Hearts of Oak 
16/10/11 Asante Kotoko 3-0 Ashanti Gold 
30/10/11 Asante Kotoko 2-0 Heart of Lions
07/10/12 Asante Kotoko 0-0 Amidaus Professionals
21/10/12 Asante Kotoko 1-1 Heart of Lions
28/10/12 Asante Kotoko 2-0 Berekum Chelsea
17/10/13 Asante Kotoko 2-1 Sekondi Hasaacas
23/10/13 Asante Kotoko 2-1 Berekum Chelsea
05/10/17 Asante Kotoko 1-1 Ashanti Gold
15/10/17 Asante Kotoko 1-0 Berekum Chelsea
01/10/23 Asante Kotoko 1-1 Karela United
13/10/23 Asante Kotoko 1-0 Aduana FC
29/10/23 Asante Kotoko 1-1 Bechem United 
02/10/24 Asante Kotoko 1-0 Nsoateman FC 
06/10/24 Asante Kotoko 1-0 Accra Lions
20/10/24 Asante kotoko 1-0 FC Samartex 
W18   D7   L3   GF41   GA15

• Heart of Lions' away matches in the month of October in the GPL since the 2003 season.
29/10/03 Power FC                         0-1 Heart of Lions
03/10/04 Great Olympics               0-1 Heart of Lions 
20/10/04 Real Sportive                  0-2 Heart of Lions 
02/10/05 Hotspurs                         0-2 Heart of Lions 
26/10/05 Feyenoord                       1-1 Heart of Lions
15/10/06 Asante Kotoko                0-1 Heart of Lions 
21/10/06 King Faisal                      1-1 Heart of Lions
21/10/09 Sekondi Hasaacas         3-2 Heart of Lions
03/10/10 Asante Kotoko                0-0 Heart of Lions
17/10/10 Mighty Jets                     0-0 Heart of Lions
16/10/11 New Edubiase United    1-0 Heart of Lions
30/10/11 Asante Kotoko                2-0 Heart of Lions
07/10/12 Berekum Chelsea           2-0 Heart of Lions
21/10/12 Asante Kotoko                1-1 Heart of Lions
28/10/12 Amidaus Professionals 2-2 Heart of Lions
02/10/13 Medeama SC                  0-1 Heart of Lions 
13/10/13 Aduana FC                      1-0 Heart of Lions
23/10/13 New Edubiase United    2-0 Heart of Lions
01/10/23 RTU                                  2-2 Heart of Lions
23/10/23 Bibiani Gold Stars         2-2 Heart of Lions
05/10/24 Medeama SC                0-0 Heart of Lions 
20/10/24 Karela United               1-0 Heart of Lions 
W6  D9  L7  GF19  GA21

• October meetings in the GPL:

• Asante Kotoko have won once in their October matches against Heart of Lions in the GPL since the 2003 season (W1 D2 L2 GF3 GA4).

• 15/10/06 Asante kotoko 0-1 Heart of Lions (Day 6) [2006-07]
• 03/10/10 Asante kotoko 0-0 Heart of Lions (Day 5) [2010-11]
• 30/10/11 Asante kotoko 2-0 Heart of Lions (Day 4) [2011-12]
• 21/10/12 Asante kotoko 1-1 Heart of Lions (Day 3) [2012-13]
• 27/10/13 Heart of Lions 2-0 Asante kotoko (Day 9)

- The last away team to prevent Asante Kotoko from scoring at home in the Ghana Premier League was Nations FC, who secured a 2-0 win on November 17, 2024, in Match Day 11 of the 2024-25 season.

- Asante Kotoko have kept 311 clean sheets out of 693 games in the GPL since the 1999 season.

- Heart of Lions have kept 149 clean sheets out of 391 games in the Ghana Premier League since the 2003 season.

- Asante Kotoko have won the Ghana league title on 24 occasions since the competition started in 1956.

- Heart of Lions' best position in the Ghana Premier League since 2003 is 2nd on three occasions: in the 2007-08 season with 53 points, the 2013-14 season with 47 points, and the 2024-25 season with 60 points.

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

- Heart of Lions' worst performance in the Ghana Premier League since 2003 was 14th with 40 points in the 2014-15 season, and they were relegated.

- Asante Kotoko, with 2 outstanding games (vs Bibiani Gold Stars and vs Basake Holy Stars), are currently 10th with 3 points after Match Day 3 games, while Heart of Lions, on the other hand, are 1st with 9 points on the Ghanaian top-flight log.