FC Samartex reignited their 2025/26 Ghana Premier League campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Kpando Heart of Lions in Sunday’s Matchweek 15 encounter at the Nsenkyire Sports Arena.
A first-half strike from Emmanuel Mamah proved to be the 'killer injection' as the Timber Giants halted a recent wobble in form and leapfrogged their opponents in the standings, while the 'Dzie Woa Nu' much-talked-about hunting expedition ultimately yielded no reward.
Determined to respond after managing just two wins from their previous seven outings, Samartex burst out of the blocks and set the fire early on. The hosts dominated possession, pressed aggressively in tough areas and pinned Heart of Lions deep as they searched for a breakthrough.
That pressure told nine minutes before the break. A swift move through the middle opened up the Lions’ backline, allowing 20-year-old forward Emmanuel Mamah to keep his composure and fire home in the 39th minute, sending the Samreboi crowd into moment of going gaga.
Stung by the setback, Heart of Lions showed flashes of 'not giving up' after the restart and enjoyed moments of encouragement in the box. However, clear-cut chances were at a premium, and when openings did present themselves, the finishing touch was lacking.
Samartex, for their part, adopted a more pragmatic approach in the second half, soaking up pressure and managing the game intelligently. Despite a late surge from Bashir Hayford’s men, the Timber Giants remained resolute, defending their slender advantage to the final whistle.
The victory represents Samartex’s sixth win of the campaign and sees them move up to sixth on the league table with 24 points from 15 matches, alongside six draws and three defeats.
Heart of Lions, meanwhile, slip to seventh with 23 points, having recorded six wins, five draws and four losses so far this season, as their search for consistency continues.
By: Pascal Amoah
