FC Samartex come face to face with Heart of Lions on Sunday, December 21, in a crucial Matchweek 15 fixture of the 2025/26 Ghana Premier League campaign at the Nsenkyire Sports Arena.
The Timber giants will be eager to respond after their motivation was halted last weekend, when they suffered a 2–0 away defeat to Basake Holy Stars at the Ampain AAK II Sports Arena in the Ellembelle District. That setback left FC Samartex with a record of five wins, six draws and three defeats after 14 league outings.
Heart of Lions, meanwhile, arrive in Samreboi looking to strengthen their position in the top five as the first round of the season approaches its conclusion.
Christopher Ennin remains at the helm of FC Samartex, while the visitors are guided by experienced head coach Bashir Hayford.
Match Preview
FC Samartex currently sit seventh on the 18-club Ghana Premier League table with 21 points, just two adrift of their upcoming opponents (Heart of Lions). A positive result on home soil would see the Timber Giants leapfrog Heart of Lions and firmly reassert themselves in the race for the top half of the table.
Despite last weekend’s defeat, Samartex have been relatively solid this season, particularly at the Nsenkyire Sports Arena, where their disciplined approach has often frustrated visiting teams. Their challenge has been translating good build-up play into clear-cut chances in attack.
Heart of Lions occupy fifth place with 23 points from 14 matches and will travel with confidence, knowing that a win could keep them within touching distance of the league’s leading pack. Hayford’s men have shown flashes of attacking quality, especially in transition, but consistency away from home remains a question mark.
With both sides separated by just two points, Sunday’s encounter promises to be a tight and tactical affair, where fine margins could determine the outcome.
Team News
FC Samartex Team News
FC Samartex are expected to have a largely settled squad for the weekend, with no major injury concerns reported ahead of the clash. Head coach Christopher Ennin is likely to stick with his preferred three-man defensive setup, built around the leadership of Emmanuel Adu Siaw. The onus will again be on creative midfielders like Kwaku Owusu and Akwasi Sarpong to supply the killer bullets, while Emmanuel Mamah and Emmanuel Mankuyeli are expected to spearhead the attack.
Heart of Lions Team News
Heart of Lions also head into the fixture with a near full-strength squad. Bashir Hayford may retain his trusted 4-3-3 system, anchored by captain Ebenezer Abban, who has returned from national team duty' at the back. The visitors will look to the energy of Yaw Danso and Etse Dogli in midfield to dictate the pace of the game, while Kwadwo Obeng Junior leads the line, supported by Michael Ephson and Chauncy Freeman in attack.
Possible Lineups
FC Samartex:
Shaibu Rafique Issah (GK); Emmanuel Adu Siaw (C), Kofi Agbesimah, Roland Grippman; Christian Agyenim Boateng, Emmanuel Essien, Kwaku Owusu, Akwasi Sarpong; Awuah Dramani, Emmanuel Mankuyeli; Emmanuel Mamah.
Heart of Lions:
Lawrence Osei (GK); Ruben Hennessy, Ebenezer Abban (C), Bismark Anim, Ishmael Addo; Etse Dogli, Yaw Danso, Samuel Quansah; Michael Ephson, Kwadwo Obeng Junior, Chauncy Freeman.
We Say: FC Samartex 2–1 Heart of Lions
This looks set to be a closely fought game, but FC Samartex’s home advantage could prove important. The Timber Giants are expected to start on the front foot, with Emmanuel Mamah likely to break the deadlock through sustained pressure. Heart of Lions should respond, potentially through Kwadwo Obeng Junior capitalising on a defensive lapse.
However, with the crowd behind them, Samartex may find a late winner, possibly from midfield runner Kwaku Owusu, to snatch a narrow victory and move above their rivals in the table.
Where is the game being played?
The match takes place at the Nsenkyire Sports Arena, the home of FC Samartex.
What time is kick-off?
The game kicks off at 15:00 on Sunday, December 21, 2025.
By: Pascal Amoah
The Timber giants will be eager to respond after their motivation was halted last weekend, when they suffered a 2–0 away defeat to Basake Holy Stars at the Ampain AAK II Sports Arena in the Ellembelle District. That setback left FC Samartex with a record of five wins, six draws and three defeats after 14 league outings.
Heart of Lions, meanwhile, arrive in Samreboi looking to strengthen their position in the top five as the first round of the season approaches its conclusion.
Christopher Ennin remains at the helm of FC Samartex, while the visitors are guided by experienced head coach Bashir Hayford.
Match Preview
FC Samartex currently sit seventh on the 18-club Ghana Premier League table with 21 points, just two adrift of their upcoming opponents (Heart of Lions). A positive result on home soil would see the Timber Giants leapfrog Heart of Lions and firmly reassert themselves in the race for the top half of the table.
Despite last weekend’s defeat, Samartex have been relatively solid this season, particularly at the Nsenkyire Sports Arena, where their disciplined approach has often frustrated visiting teams. Their challenge has been translating good build-up play into clear-cut chances in attack.
Heart of Lions occupy fifth place with 23 points from 14 matches and will travel with confidence, knowing that a win could keep them within touching distance of the league’s leading pack. Hayford’s men have shown flashes of attacking quality, especially in transition, but consistency away from home remains a question mark.
With both sides separated by just two points, Sunday’s encounter promises to be a tight and tactical affair, where fine margins could determine the outcome.
Team News
FC Samartex Team News
FC Samartex are expected to have a largely settled squad for the weekend, with no major injury concerns reported ahead of the clash. Head coach Christopher Ennin is likely to stick with his preferred three-man defensive setup, built around the leadership of Emmanuel Adu Siaw. The onus will again be on creative midfielders like Kwaku Owusu and Akwasi Sarpong to supply the killer bullets, while Emmanuel Mamah and Emmanuel Mankuyeli are expected to spearhead the attack.
Heart of Lions Team News
Heart of Lions also head into the fixture with a near full-strength squad. Bashir Hayford may retain his trusted 4-3-3 system, anchored by captain Ebenezer Abban, who has returned from national team duty' at the back. The visitors will look to the energy of Yaw Danso and Etse Dogli in midfield to dictate the pace of the game, while Kwadwo Obeng Junior leads the line, supported by Michael Ephson and Chauncy Freeman in attack.
Possible Lineups
FC Samartex:
Shaibu Rafique Issah (GK); Emmanuel Adu Siaw (C), Kofi Agbesimah, Roland Grippman; Christian Agyenim Boateng, Emmanuel Essien, Kwaku Owusu, Akwasi Sarpong; Awuah Dramani, Emmanuel Mankuyeli; Emmanuel Mamah.
Heart of Lions:
Lawrence Osei (GK); Ruben Hennessy, Ebenezer Abban (C), Bismark Anim, Ishmael Addo; Etse Dogli, Yaw Danso, Samuel Quansah; Michael Ephson, Kwadwo Obeng Junior, Chauncy Freeman.
We Say: FC Samartex 2–1 Heart of Lions
This looks set to be a closely fought game, but FC Samartex’s home advantage could prove important. The Timber Giants are expected to start on the front foot, with Emmanuel Mamah likely to break the deadlock through sustained pressure. Heart of Lions should respond, potentially through Kwadwo Obeng Junior capitalising on a defensive lapse.
However, with the crowd behind them, Samartex may find a late winner, possibly from midfield runner Kwaku Owusu, to snatch a narrow victory and move above their rivals in the table.
Where is the game being played?
The match takes place at the Nsenkyire Sports Arena, the home of FC Samartex.
What time is kick-off?
The game kicks off at 15:00 on Sunday, December 21, 2025.
By: Pascal Amoah
