Heart of Lions will be determined to return to winning ways when they host league leaders Asante Kotoko in a crucial Ghana Premier League Week 25 encounter at the Kpando Sports Stadium on Sunday, April 6, 2025.
The Lions suffered a 2-1 defeat in their last outing against Bibiani Gold Stars, a result that halted their momentum after their previous win and denied them back-to-back league victories for the fourth time since December 2024.
Match Preview
Bashir Hayford’s men have had a mixed run of form in recent weeks, with two wins, one draw, and two losses in their last five matches. However, they remain a formidable side at home, ranking as the fifth-best home team in the league this season.
Despite their recent inconsistency, Heart of Lions boast one of the most balanced squads in the league, having scored the third joint-most goals (25) and conceded the second-fewest (16) after 24 matches. Their ability to remain compact at the back while creating chances in attack makes them a tricky opponent for any visiting side
Standing in their way is a high-flying Asante Kotoko side who have been in superb form under head coach Prosper Narteh Ogum. The Porcupine Warriors are unbeaten in their last five games (W3, D2), and their most recent result — a hard-fought 1-0 win over Berekum Chelsea at the Baba Yara Stadium on Wednesday — helped them retain top spot on the league table with 45 points.
Kotoko have been impressive in both attack and defence, scoring the second-most goals (26) and conceding the second joint-fewest (14) goals in the campaign so far. They have also proven resilient on the road, collecting three wins, five draws, and three defeats in 11 away fixtures — the third-best away record in the division.
Interestingly, this will be only the second league meeting in Kpando between the two sides since Heart of Lions returned to the top flight last season. Lions edged the last home encounter with a narrow 1-0 win and will be looking to replicate that result against the record Ghana Premier League champions.
Team News and Predicted Lineups
Heart of Lions Predicted XI:
Lawrence (GK), George, Anim, Hennessy, Abban, Danso, Michelle, Boateng, Addo, Pong, Oppong.
Asante Kotoko Predicted XI:
Asare (GK); Adjetey, Asiedu, Ablorh, Samba; Manu, Blay, K. Opoku; Baba, Kyei Baffour, Acquah.
Kickoff Time: 15:00 GMT
Venue: Kpando Sports Stadium
Prediction:
Heart of Lions 1-1 Asante Kotoko
Both teams come into the game with solid defensive records and attacking quality, making a tight contest likely. With Kotoko looking to protect their lead at the top and Lions aiming to maintain their strong home form, a 1-1 draw could be on the cards.
