ASANTE KOTOKO AND HEARTS OF OAK'S OFF-SEASON MATCHES AHEAD OF THE 2025-26 GHANA PREMIER LEAGUE SEASON 

By: Isaac Amponsah (Dr Ike) and Aaron Kintoh 

The 2025-26 Ghana Premier League season is set to kick off on the weekend of September 12, 2025, and conclude on the weekend of May 23-24, 2026. 

Both Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak have been active in the transfer market, bolstering their squads ahead of the new season.

Asante Kotoko's New Signings

Asante Kotoko, under Coach Abdul Karim Zito, has strengthened their squad with 14 new signings following their 3rd-place finish in the 2024-25 league season. The new signings include:

- Hubert Gyau (MD)
- Philip Amoh (MD)
- Lord Hilar Adabo (MD)
- Dari Aziz Haruna (GK)
- Francis Acquah (LB)
- Zackaria Fuseini (CB)
- Johnson Oppong Owusu (WG)
- Joseph Amoah (LB/MD)
- Seth Kwadwo (MD)
- Inusah Adams (WG)
- Morifing Donzo (FW)
- Shayibu Abubakari (RB)
- Musah Hamzata (CB)
- Walid Fuseini (MD)

Hearts of Oak's New Signings

Hearts of Oak's new head coach, Mas-Ud Didi Dramani, has signed 15 new players to strengthen each department of the team ahead of the 2025-26 season. The new signings include:

- Frank Abora Duku (FW)
- Prince Kwabena Owusu (FW)
- Ali Mohammed (CB)
- Baba Adamu (CB)
- Zaid Suraj (MD)
- Rocky Dwamena (MD)
- Samuel Amankwah (LB)
- Henry Kwaku Boateng (AM)
- Joshua Kojo Anazah (LB/CB)
- Paaku George (AM)
- Abdul Karim (MD)
- Godwin Cudjoe (CB)
- Felix Otoboah (CB)
- Kelvin Appiah (MD)
- Solomon Agbasi (GK)

Off-Season Matches

Both teams have played several off-season matches, with the following results:

Asante Kotoko's Off-Season Matches:

- President Cup: Hearts of Oak 1, Asante Kotoko 2

- Toyota Cup: Kaizer Chiefs 0, Asante Kotoko 0

- GHALCA Top Four: Gold Stars 2, Asante Kotoko 1

- GHALCA Top Four: Asante Kotoko 0, Heart of Lions 1

- GHALCA Top Four: Asante Kotoko 0, Hearts of Oak 2

- Champion of Champions Cup: Gold Stars 0, Asante Kotoko 1

Asante Kotoko's Overall Performance:
Total Matches:                 6
Wins:                                  2
Draws:                                1
Losses:                              3
Goals For:                          4
Goals Against:                  6

Hearts of Oak's Off-Season Matches

- President Cup: Hearts of Oak 1, Asante Kotoko 2

- Homowo Cup: Hearts of Oak 2, Heart of Lions 0

- GHALCA Top Four: Heart of Lions 0, Hearts of Oak 1

- GHALCA Top Four: Gold Stars 2, Hearts of Oak 2

- GHALCA Top Four: Asante Kotoko 0, Hearts of Oak 2

- Democracy Cup: Hearts of Oak 1, Great Olympics 0

Hearts of Oak's Overall Performance:
Total Matches:                 6
Wins:                                  4
Draws:                                1
Losses:                              1
Goals For:                          9
Goals Against:                  4

Upcoming Matches:
Asante Kotoko's first match in the Ghana Premier League will be against Berekum Chelsea on September 13, 2025, and Hearts of Oak will face Hohoe United on September 12, 2025.