“REVENGE OR REPEAT: BIBIANI GOLD STARS HOST ASANTE KOTOKO IN THE 2025 CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS MATCH“

By: Isaac Amponsah (Dr Ike) and Aaron Kintoh 

Bibiani Gold Stars and Asante Kotoko prepare to lock horns in the Champion of Champions match at Dun's Park in Bibiani on Sunday, August 31, 2025. 

The 2025 edition of the Champion of Champions or Super Cup will be the 21st time since the competition started in 1969, and it is played between the winner of the Ghana Premier League and the winner of the FA Cup.

Bibiani Gold Stars, crowned league champions last season, will be hoping to solidify their credentials as a rising force in Ghanaian football after clinching their historic 2024-25 Premier League title. 

Led by Coach Stephen Frimpong Manso, the Bibiani-based side will look to draw strength from their home fans at Dun's Park as they aim to build on their league triumph with another piece of silverware. 

Having already secured the 2024-25 Ghana Premier League trophy and the 2025 GHALCA Top 4 trophy, they will be keen to add to their collection. 

Their recent performance, including a 2-1 comeback win against Asante Kotoko in the GHALCA Top 4 tournament, showcases their determination and potential.

Asante Kotoko secured the 2024-25 MTN FA Cup after a dramatic campaign that reaffirmed their status as one of Ghana’s most decorated clubs. 

Under head coach Abdul Karim Zito, the Porcupine Warriors are determined to start the new season on a high note and restore continental pride ahead of their participation in the CAF Confederation Cup. 

However, their recent performance in the 2025 GHALCA Top Four Tournament was underwhelming, as they failed to secure a single win in their three matches, earning zero points out of nine. 

This puts pressure on the team to redeem their image as they face off against Bibiani Gold Stars in the Champion of Champions or Super Cup match.

• Asante Kotoko Facts: 

- The first time Asante Kotoko competed for the Super Cup or Champion of Champions title was in the 1969 edition, when they lost 1-0 to Ebusua Dwarfs courtesy of Robert Koffie.

- The first time Asante Kotoko won the Super Cup or Champion of Champions title was in the 1977 edition, when Hearts of Oak failed to continue the game in the 77th minute.

- The last time Asante Kotoko won the Super Cup or Champion of Champions trophy was in 2014, when they won the double (both Ghana Premier League and FA Cup).

- Asante Kotoko have won the Super Cup or Champion of Champions title on four occasions (1977, 2012, 2013, and 2014).

 2025 Champion of Champions match, Bibiani Gold Stars, the reigning Premier League champions, will face off against Asante Kotoko, the MTN FA Cup holders. 

This fixture promises to be an exciting curtain-raiser to the new domestic football season, with both teams looking to make a strong statement ahead of their respective campaigns. 

Dun's Park is expected to be packed to capacity as fans from the Ashanti and Western North regions flock in to witness the highly anticipated showdown between Bibiani Gold Stars and Asante Kotoko. With both teams boasting quality squads and passionate followings, the atmosphere is set to be electric.

Head-to-Head Statistics
- Total Matches Played:10
- Bibiani Gold Stars:
    - Wins: 2
    - Goals Scored: 6
- Asante Kotoko:
    - Wins: 5
    - Goals Scored: 14
- Drawn Games: 3

• Previous Matches:
- November 12, 2021: Bibiani Gold Stars 0-1 Asante Kotoko (Day 3, 2021-22 Ghana Premier League)

- March 13, 2022: Asante Kotoko 5-0 Bibiani Gold Stars (2021-22 Ghana Premier League)

- January 16, 2023: Bibiani Gold Stars 1-1 Asante Kotoko (Day 13, 2022-23 Ghana Premier League)

- May 7, 2023: Asante Kotoko 1-1 Bibiani Gold Stars (Day 30, 2022-23 Ghana Premier League)

- September 23, 2023: Bibiani Gold Stars 2-1 Asante Kotoko (Day 2, 2023-24 Ghana Premier League)

-January 7, 2024: Bibiani Gold Stars 0-1 Asante Kotoko (2024 FA Cup)

- March 1, 2024: Asante Kotoko 1-0 Bibiani Gold Stars (Day 19, 2023-24 Ghana Premier League)

- December 27, 2024: Asante Kotoko 2-0 Bibiani Gold Stars (Day 15, 2024-25 Ghana Premier League)

- May 25, 2025: Bibiani Gold Stars 0-0 Asante Kotoko (Day 32, 2024-25 Ghana Premier League)

- August 20, 2025: Asante Kotoko 1-2 Bibiani Gold Stars (2025 GHALCA Top 4)

• Notable Statistics:
- The only goalless match between the two teams was on May 25, 2025, at Dun's Park in the Ghana Premier League.

Coaches' Ambitions:

- Coach Stephen Frimpong Manso (Bibiani Gold Stars): Has won two trophies since joining the side:
    - 2024-25 Ghana Premier League trophy
    - 2025 GHALCA Top 4 trophy
    - Likely wishes to add the 2025 Champions of Champions trophy to the team's accomplishments.

- Coach Abdul Karim Zito (Asante Kotoko): Has guided the club to win three trophies since his return:
    - 2025 President Cup
    - 2025 Toyota Cup in South Africa
    - 2025 MTN FA Cup
    - Determined to win the 2025 Champion of Champions trophy for Asante Kotoko
    - Has lost three games in a row:
        - Bibiani Gold Stars 2-1 Asante Kotoko (2025 GHALCA Top 4)
        - Heart of Lions 1-0 Asante Kotoko (2025 GHALCA Top 4)
        - Asante Kotoko 0-2 Hearts of Oak (2025 GHALCA Top 4)

The Champion of Champions or Super Cup fixture offers an opportunity for both coaches to assess their players, try new tactics, and build momentum ahead of the new season and their campaigns in the CAF Inter Club Competitions. 

Previous Winners:
1. Accra Hearts of Oak: 7 times
2. Kumasi Asante Kotoko: 4 times
3. Tarkwa Medeama SC: 2 times
4. Cape Coast Ebusua Dwarfs: 1 time
5. Sekondi Eleven Wise: 1 time
6. Nkawkaw Okwawu United: 1 time
7. Obuasi Ashanti Gold (Goldfields): 1 time
8. Accra Nania FC: 1 time
9. Accra Legon Cities (Wa All Stars): 1 time
10. Dormaa Aduana FC: 1 time
11. Samreboi FC Samartex 1996: 1 time

Notable Achievements:

- Most Successful Club: Hearts of Oak, with 7 wins, followed by Asante Kotoko with 4 wins.

- Western Region Participation:

    - Sekondi Hasaacas (1978): First team from the Western Region to participate.

    - Sekondi Eleven Wise(1983): Second team from the Western Region to participate.

    - Medeama SC (2013): Third team from the Western Region to participate.

    - FC Samartex 1996 (2024): Fourth team from the Western Region to participate.

- Western Region Wins:

    - Sekondi Hasaacas were not the first Western Region team to win; Sekondi Eleven Wise won in 1983, making them the first.

    - Medeama SC (2016, 2023): Second team from the Western Region to win.

First-Time Winners:

1. Cape Coast Ebusua Dwarfs(1969)
2. Sekondi Eleven Wiser (1983)
3. Nkawkaw Okwawu United (1986)
4. Obuasi Ashanti Gold [Goldfields] (1995)
5. Accra Nania FC (2011)
6. Accra Legon Cities (Wa All Stars) (2017)
7. Dormaa Aduana FC (2018)
8. Samreboi FC Samartex 1996 (2024)

- Bibiani Gold Stars: Participating in their first Super Cup or Champion of Champions, aiming to be the ninth club to win the title in their first participation.

The match between Bibiani Gold Stars and Asante Kotoko in the Champion of Champions fixture is scheduled to kick off at 3:00 p.m. GMT on Sunday, August 31.