GPL WEEK 3: NATIONS FC AIMS TO MAINTAIN UNBEATEN RECORD AGAINST FC SAMARTEX 1996 

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

 Prediction: Nations to win over 1.5 and Emmanuel Annor to score 

Sunday's Ghana Premier League action gets underway at the Dr. Kwame Kyei Sports Complex, where Nations FC will welcome former champions FC Samartex in a Week Three fixture. 

Nations FC are looking to inject some energy into their premier league campaign when they host FC Samartex, who are unbeaten this season both home and away. 

Nations FC aim to keep their impressive unbeaten record in the league against FC Samartex 1996, while FC Samartex is still searching for their first win against Nations FC in the league.

Nations returns home after a defeat to Aduana FC in Week Two, while FC Samartex 1996 held a 1-1 draw with Karela United at the Nsenkyire Sports Arena. 

Nations FC maintained their excellent home start to the Ghana Premier League campaign by coming from behind to win 2-1 against Swedru All Blacks in Week One.

Nations FC is currently sitting in 9th position with 3 points, while FC Samartex 1996 occupies the 10th position with 2 points after Week Two.

Recent Transfers:
Nations FC Incomings:
    - Suleman Yahaya Abu from Young Apostles
    - Nathaniel Anertey Abbey - Free Agent
    - Evans Sarfo from PAC Academy
    - Lawrence Ansah - Free Agent
    - Martin Akolgo from WAFA
    - John Ahuma Ocansey from Akatsi All Stars
    - Faruk Mohammed from Hohoe United
    - Samuel Tetteh from Chance for Children

Nations FC Outgoings:
    - Abdul Karim
    - Kofi Mensah
    - Nafiu Sulemana
    - Barimah Baah 

FC Samartex Incomings:
    - Sabi Ferdinand Acquah
    - Roland Grippman from Golden Kick
    - Clinton Kumi
    - Osman Zakari from Northern City
    - Abdul Latif
    - Christian Agyemang Boateng
    - Napari Iddrisu from Northern City
- 
FC Samartex Outgoings:
    - Baba Hamadu
    - Musa Richmond
    - Darko Seidu
    - Abubakari
    - Ebenezer Ocran
    - Emmanuel Owusu Boakye
    - Lord Hilary Adabo
    - Japheth Norvienyo
    - Desmond Gyabeng
    - Godsway Avadzi
    - Micheal Ephson

The match between Nations FC and FC Samartex promises to be a closely contested one, with Nations FC being slight favorites in Kumasi.

• 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 since December 18, 1993 in the 1993-94 season. Meanwhile, it marks the 3rd appearance for Nations FC and the 4th appearance for FC Samartex 1996.

• 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

• Head-to-Head

• 2023-24 season 
Sunday, September 24, 2023 (Day 2)
Nations FC                     2-0 FC Samartex
Barimah Baah 20', Amidou Diarra 63'
MVP: Isaac Botchway - Nations FC 
Monday, March 4, 2024 (Day 19) 
FC Samartex                 0-1 Nations FC ***
Nafiu Sulemana 44'

• 2024-25 season
Sunday, December 29, 2024 (Day 15) 
FC Samartex                 1-1 Nations FC
Solomon Agyei 33'//Emmanuel Annor 43'
MVP: Emmanuel Adu Siaw - FC Samartex 
Sunday, May 25, 2025 (Day 32) 
Nations FC                     3-0 FC Samartex 
Emmanuel Annor 61', Faisal Charwetey 76', Kelvin Ampoful 83'
MVP: Kelvin Ampoful - Nations FC 

Total matches played      - 4
Nations FC wins                - 3
Goals scored                     - 7
FC Samartex wins            - 0
Goals scored                     - 1
Drawn games                    - 1

• Nations FC has been unbeaten in its previous games against FC Samartex 1996 in the GPL since the 2023-24 season, with a record of W3 D1 GF7 GA1.

• Nations FC has scored in each of their games against FC Samartex 1996 in the Ghana Premier League since the 2023-24 season, scoring 7 goals in 4 games.

• Current form:

• Nations FC has won once in their last three (3) games in the GPL (W1 L2 GF2 GA4).
• 08/06/25 Nations FC 0-2 Heart of Lions (Day 34) [2024-25]
• 14/09/25 Nations FC 2-1 Swedru All Blacks (Day 1) [2025-26]
• 21/09/25 Aduana FC 1-0 Nations FC (Day 2) [2025-26]

• FC Samartex is winless in their last three games in the GPL (D2 L1 GF1 GA2).
• 08/06/25 Hearts of Oak 1-0 FC Samartex (Day 34) [2024-25]
• 14/09/25 Vision FC        0-0 FC Samartex (Day 1) [2025-26]
• 21/09/25 FC Samartex  1-1 Karela United (Day 2) [2025-26]

• Match Facts:

• The Dr. Kwame Kyei Sports Complex, formerly known as the Anane Boateng Sports Stadium, located in Abrankese, Bosomtwe District, Ashanti Region, will host the match between Nations FC and FC Samartex for the Match Day 3 fixture of the 2025-26 Ghana Premier League.

• Nations FC has lost 4 out of 35 home games at the Dr. Kwame Kyei Sports Complex in the Ghana Premier League since the 2023-24 season.
W21  D10 L4  GF54  GA20

• Each of FC Samartex's games in the Ghana Premier League at the Dr. Kwame Kyei Sports Complex has produced 2+ goals since the 2022-23 season.
• 21/05/23 King Faisal         0-2 FC Samartex (Day 31) [2022-23]
• 24/09/23 Nations FC         2-0 FC Samartex (Day 2) [2023-24]
• 03/12/23 Bofoakwa Tano 0-2 FC Samartex (Day 13) [2023-24]
• 25/05/25 Nations FC         3-0 FC Samartex (Day 32) [2024-25]

• Nations FC has been unbeaten in its home games against teams based in the Western Region in the GPL since the 2023-24 season.
• 24/09/23 Nations FC 2-0 FC Samartex (Day 2) [2023-24]
• 25/11/23 Nations FC 1-0 Karela United (Day 12) [2023-24]
• 10/03/24 Nations FC 1-1 Medeama SC (Day 20) [2023-24]
• 27/04/24 Nations FC 0-0 Bibiani Gold Stars (Day 28) [2023-24]
• 13/10/24 Nations FC 1-1 Bibiani Gold Stars (Day 6) [2024-25]
• 05/01/25 Nations FC 3-1 Basake Holy Stars (16) [2024-25]
• 16/03/25 Nations FC 2-1 Medeama SC (Day 24) [2024-25]
• 25/05/25 Nations FC 3-0 FC Samartex (Day 32) [2024-25]
W5 D3 GF13 GA4

• FC Samartex’s away games against teams based in the ASHANTI REGION in the GPL since 2022-23 season.
• 06/11/22 Asante kotoko 2-1 FC Samartex (Day 5) [2022-23]
• 21/05/23 King Faisal      0-2 FC Samartex (Day 31) [2022-23]
• 24/09/23 Nations FC      2-0 FC Samartex (Day 2) [2023-24]
• 21/04/24 Asante kotoko 1-0 FC Samartex (Day 27) [2023-24]
• 20/10/24 Asante kotoko 1-0 FC Samartex (Day 7) [2024-25]
• 25/05/25 Nations FC      3-0 FC Samartex (Day 32) [2024-25]

• Nations FC has played 14 home games against previous winners of the Ghana Premier League.
• 25/09/23 Nations FC 2-0 FC Samartex (Day 2) [2023-24]
• 08/10/23 Nations FC 1-1 Legon Cities (Day 4) [2023-24]
• 22/10/23 Nations FC 2-2 Asante Kotoko (Day 6) [2023-24]
• 09/12/23 Nations FC 2-1 Aduana FC (Day 14) [2023-24]
• 16/12/23 Nations FC 1-1 Hearts of Oak (Day 15) [2023-24]
• 10/03/24 Nations FC 1-1 Medeama SC (Day 20) [2023-24]
• 17/03/24 Nations FC 3-0 Berekum Chelsea (Day 22) [2023-24]
• 05/04/24 Nations FC 1-0 Great Olympics (Day 24) [2023-24]
• 24/11/24 Nations FC 0-1 Berekum Chelsea (Day 12) [2024-25]
• 21/12/24 Nations FC 3-0 Legon Cities (Day 14) [2024-25]
• 16/03/25 Nations FC 2-1 Medeama SC (Day 24) [2024-25]
• 19/03/25 Nations FC 0-1 Aduana FC (Day 20) [2024-25]
• 20/04/25 Nations FC 2-0 Asante kotoko (Day 28) [2024-25]
• 25/05/25 Nations FC 3-0 FC Samartex (Day 32) [2024-25]
W8  D4  L2 GF23  GA9

• Berekum Chelsea and Aduana FC are the only previous winners of the Ghana Premier League to have won at Nations FC's home grounds in the GPL since the 2023-24 season.
                                                                     
• Nations FC has conceded in each of their match Day 3 games in the GPL.
2023-24 Medeama SC 1-0 Nations FC 
2024-25 Aduana FC     1-2 Nations FC 
W1  L1  GF2  GA2

• FC Samartex 1996 is unbeaten in their match Day 3 games in the GPL since 2022-23 season.
2022-23 Aduana FC     2-2 FC Samartex 
2023-24 FC Samartex 4-1 Bechem United 
2024-25 Medeama SC 0-0 FC Samartex 
W1 D2 GF6 GA3 

• Nations FC began their campaign in the Ghanaian top-flight competition when they lost 1-0 to Dreams FC on Wednesday, September 20, 2023 in the 2023-24 season at the Theater of Dreams.

• Nations FC won their first game in the GPL competition when they won 2-0 against FC Samartex on Sunday, September 24, 2023 in match Day 2 in the 2023-24 season at the Dr. Kwame Kyei Sports Complex.

• Barimah Baah was the first player to score Nations FC first goal in the GPL competition when they faced FC Samartex on September 24, 2023 in match Day 2 at the Dr Kwame Kyei Sports Complex, Baah is currently playing for Bibiani Gold Stars.

• Nations FC was the 103rd new club to feature in the Ghana Premier League since the competition's inception in 1956.

• The first time Nations FC lost at Home in the GPL is November 24, 2024 in match Day 12 in the 2024-25 season against Berekum Chelsea courtesy Stephen Amankona.

- Since then, Nations FC has played 12 Home games in the GPL.
W9 D0 L3 GF19 GA8

• The last time Nations FC lost at Home in the GPL is June 8, 2025 in match Day 34 in the 2024-25 season.

- Since then, Nations FC has played 1 Home game in the GPL.
W1 GF2 GA1

• Nations FC has lost 4 out of 35 Home games in the GPL since 2023-24 season.
• 24/11/24 Nations FC 0-1 Berekum Chelsea (Day 12) [2024-25]
• 02/02/25 Nations FC 1-2 Young Apostles (Day 19) [2024-25]
• 19/03/25 Nations FC 0-1 Aduana FC (Day 20) [2024-25]
• 08/06/25 Nations FC 0-2 Heart of Lions (Day 34) [2024-25]

• Nations FC has played 35 Home games in the GPL since 2023-24 season.
W21 D10 L4 GF54 GA20

• The first time FC Samartex 1996 won an Away in the GPL is November 17, 2022 in match Day 7 in the 2022-23 season against Akyem Kotoku Royals (0-1).

- Since then, Samartex has played 48 Away games (4,320 mins) so far in the GPL.
W7   D15  L26   GF27   GA52

• The last time FC Samartex won an Away game in the GPL is April 13, 2025 in match Day 27 in the 2024-25 season against Legon Cities (0-2).

- Since then, FC Samartex has played 5 Away games (450 mins) so far in the GPL.
D2  L3  GF2  GA7

• FC Samartex 1996 has played 52 Away games in the GPL since 2022-23 season.
W8  D17  L27  GF31    GA56

• Since the inception of the Ghana League, 106 new clubs have featured, and only fourteen (14) clubs have won the title so far, with Kumasi Asante Kotoko being the most successful club with 24 titles, 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), Tarkwa Medeama SC (1), Samreboi FC Samartex 1996 (1), and Bibiani Gold Stars (1).

• FC Samartex 1996 was the fourth club from the Western Region of Ghana to have won Ghana's top-flight league title since its inception in 1956.
• Sekondi Eleven Wise (1960-61)
• Sekondi Hasaacas (1977)
• Tarkwa Medeama SC (2022-23)

• The defending champions, Bibiani Gold Stars FC, are the fifth club from the Western Region of Ghana to have won Ghana's top-flight league title since its inception in 1956:
- Sekondi Eleven Wise (1960-61)
- Sekondi Hasaacas (1977)
- Tarkwa Medeama SC (2022-23)
- Samreboi FC Samartex 1996 (2023-24)

• FC Samartex 1996 were the 9th club from the Western Part of Ghana to have participated in the Ghana's top-flight league since it's inception in 1956:
1. Sekondi Hasaacas (1956)
2. Sekondi Eleven Wise (1956)
3. Sekondi Ghana Independence (1962-63)
4. Tarkwa Wassaman United (1964-65)
5. Tarkwa Gold Stars (1979)
6. Prestea Mines Stars (1980)
7. Aiyinase Karela United (2020-21)
8. Bibiani Gold Stars (2021-22)
9. Samreboi FC Samartex 1996 (2022-23)
10. Basake Holy Stars (2024-25 season)

Note that although Medeama SC is from the Western Region, they were previously known as Kessben FC, associated with the Ashanti Region. The name "Kessben FC" was used since 2007-08 season. In January 2011, Kessben FC changed its name to Medeama Sporting Club after businessman Moses Armah 'Parker' completed a takeover of the club in 2010 and relocated it's base from Abrankese in the Ashanti Region to Tarkwa in the Western Region. The new name Medeama SC, was used for the second round of the 2010-11 football season.

• Five (5) clubs from the Western Region of Ghana have won the Ghana top-flight league title since it's inception in 1956.
• Sekondi Eleven Wise (1960-61)
• Sekondi Hasaacas (1977)
• Medeama SC (2022-23)
• FC Samartex 1996 (2023-24)
• Bibiani Gold Stars (2024-25)

• Nations FC are unbeaten in their Home matches in the month of SEPTEMBER in the GPL since 2023-24 season.
24/09/23 Nations FC  2-0 FC Samartex 
08/09/24 Nations FC  0-0 Bechem United
29/09/24 Nations FC  0-0 Hearts of Oak  
W1  D2  GF2  GA0 

• Nations FC is yet to concede a goal at Home in the month of SEPTEMBER in the GPL since 2023-24 season.

• FC Samartex Away matches in the month of SEPTEMBER in the GPL since 2022-23 season.
11/09/22 RTU              0-0 FC Samartex 
25/09/22 Aduana FC 2-2 FC Samartex 
24/09/23 Nations FC 2-0 FC Samartex 
07/09/24 Dreams FC  0-0 FC Samartex 
14/09/25 Vision FC    0-0 FC Samartex 
D3 L2 GF2 GA4

• The last Away side to prevent Nations FC from scoring  at Home in the GPL is Heart of Lions who secured 2-0 win on June 8, 2025 in match Day 34 in the 2024-25 season.

• Nations FC has kept 31 CLEAN SHEET out of 70 games played in the Ghana Premier League since 2023-24 season.

• FC Samartex 1996 has so far kept 46 CLEAN SHEETS out of 104 games in the GPL since 2022-23 season.   

• Nations FC Best position in the GPL is 5th with 57 points in the 2024-25 season.

• FC Samartex 1996 won the 2023-24 season of the Ghana Premier League with 61 points.

• Nations FC worst performance in the GPL is 7th with 49 points in the 2023-24 season.

• FC Samartex 1996 worse performance in the GPL is 10th with 46 points in the 2022-23 season.