2026/27 Ghana Premier League: Week 3 Match Preview - FC Samartex vs Asante Kotoko

[caption id="attachment_1348337" align="alignnone" width="678"] Since November 2023, Samartex and Kotoko have met six times, with both teams recording two victories and two matches ending in draws.[/caption]FC Samartex 1996 will look to maintain their perfect start to the Ghana Premier League season when they host Asante Kotoko at the Nsenkyire Sports Arena on Sunday.The Timber Giants have won both of their opening matches, including a 1-0 away victory over Aduana FC in Dormaa. They have also won their last four home matches and will be confident of maintaining their strong record in Samreboi.Kotoko, meanwhile, head into the encounter after recording their first league victory of the season, a 2-1 win over Heart of Lions.The Porcupine Warriors are unbeaten in their last three matches across all competitions, but their recent away record in the league remains a concern. They have won just one of their last ten away league matches.Kotoko coach Eric Tinkler expects a difficult encounter but has urged his players to focus on the aspects of the game within their control.We need to think about focusing on the controllables. We can't control the fact that the trip is going to be a very, very long trip. That is just a fact, and we have to accept it, Tinkler told the club's media.The South African wants his players to approach the game with intensity and positive football.If we go there, play a brand of football that is positive, with good intensity and a lot of energy, then we can compete against them, he said.Tinkler has also called for the same mentality from his players regardless of the venue.You've got to see every away game as a home game at the end of the day, he added. We have to play with the winning mentality in order to achieve our objectives.Recent meetings between the sides suggest another closely fought contest could be in store. Since November 2023, Samartex and Kotoko have met six times, with both teams recording two victories and two matches ending in draws.Samartex won the most recent meeting, a 2-1 victory at the Baba Yara Stadium on April 7, 2026. The previous two encounters ended in goalless and 1-1 draws respectively.The overall record is evenly matched, with both sides scoring four goals across the six meetings.Samartex will aim to preserve their 100 percent record, while Kotoko will be looking to overcome their recent away struggles and claim another important result on the road.