Dreams FC and champions FC Samartex will kickstart the 2024/25 Ghana Premier League season with what promises to be a crunchy encounter at the Ohene Gyan Stadium on Saturday, September 7.
While the hosts will seek a revenge after losing on head to head basis in this fixture last season, the holders are also determined to have it preserved with a win to begin their title defense on a higher note.
MATCH PREVIEW
The 'Still Believe' lads made a ninth-place finish in the league last season and had to rely on some wins in the last few matches to boost their survival chances and will definitely have their sights on an improved performance this time.
The Greens had a very good preseason having enjoyed an unbeaten run with victories over lower division sides like Atttram de Visser Academy, Home Stars FC, Kitu FC and others.
They wrapped up their preparations with a high-profile game against giants Hearts of Oak in the midweek in a game that finished goalless after full time.
On the opposition side, FC Samartex are the current Ghanaian champions having won the championship in just their second campaign in the topflight and have made some decent additions and are ever ready and poised to defend their title
The Timber Giants have also had a busy pre-season having achieved the 'host and win' in the Nsenkyire Cup- a tourney that had them well prepared and ready for their first ever Africa campaign.
The Samreboi-based side are now in the second preliminary round of the CAF Champions League having completed back to back over Cameroonian champions Victoria United with a 1-0 win each in the first round and will now face Moroccan giants Raja Casablanca next.
They wrapped up everything with a 1-0 win over FA Cup champions Nsoatreman FC last week to win the Champion of Champions which has paved way for the new league season.
TEAM NEWS
Dreams FC lost the service of players like Ofori McCarthy, captain Abdul Jalilu, Agyenim Boateng Mensah and just recently experienced striker John Antwi and young sensation Abdul Aziz Issah- who has joined European giants FC Barcelona.
However, they have also made some numerous additions including goalkeeper Richmond Ayi and Rocky Dwamena and promoted some few youngsters from their youth side with coach Karim Zito very satisfied with his squad going into the season.
With Samartex, despite losing his captain Emmanuel Keyekeh, Dauda Yussif and others, have also introduced some talented figures to strengthen their team.
Coach Nurudeen Amadu was without Evans Osei-Owusu and Baba Musah Hamadu in his last competitive game due to injuries and hasn't been confirmed whether they can recover on time for the game.
Dreams FC: Richmond Ayi, Ebenezer Adade, Christian Owusu, Seth Agyemang, Derrick Atta Agyei, Kelvin Ahiable, Rocky Dwamena, Jonathan Nemorden, Collins Boah, Prince Amanfo, Joseph Esso
FC Samartex: Kofi Baah, Samuel Tetteh, Isaac Afful, Ebenezer Acquah, James Sewornu, Lord Hilary Adabo, Benjamin Gyetuah, Richmond Darko, Michael Ephson, Emmanuel Mamah, Solomon Agyei
PREDICTION
We say Dreams FC 1-1 FC Samartex
KICKOFF: 15:00GMT (3:00pm)
By: Iddriss Abdul Rahim
