Third-placed Asante Kotoko welcome Medeama SC to the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Sunday in crucial matchday 33 encounter of the Premier League, with both sides eyeing strong finishes in what has been a fiercely competitive campaign.
Kotoko’s title hopes suffered a significant blow last weekend after a frustrating goalless stalemate away to fellow contenders Gold Stars FC, their tenth draw of the season. The Porcupine Warriors now sit five points adrift of leaders Nations FC, with 55 points after 32 matches. Though the league crown appears out of reach, Abdul Karim Zito’s side remain firmly in the race for a top-three finish and will be determined to maintain momentum at home.
Kotoko boast an impressive record at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, going unbeaten in their last five home matches (W4, D1), and conceding only twice during that run. With 12 wins, two draws, and just two losses from 16 home games, they are the second-best home side in the league this season. Their overall campaign has seen them score 33 goals while conceding 22, and Sunday presents an opportunity to notch a 13th home victory and bolster their top-four credentials.
Medeama SC, currently sixth with 50 points, enter the penultimate round knowing they cannot be overtaken but have a real chance to leapfrog Hearts of Oak into fifth place. The Mauve and Yellow have been the league’s most potent attacking side, netting a league-high 41 goals while conceding 29. However, their Achilles’ heel has been their poor away form. They head into Sunday’s fixture on the back of eight consecutive away defeats, a run that leaves them with the most losses (12) among the top-half clubs.
Despite their away struggles, Medeama will be keen to end their dismal road record and grab all three points to keep their top-four ambitions alive. Historically, recent meetings between the two sides at Baba Yara have been closely contested. Since the 2020/21 season, each side has won twice in their last four league meetings in Kumasi. Kotoko claimed narrow 1-0 wins in the 2021/22 and 2023/24 seasons, while Medeama earned a 2-1 victory in 2020/21 and a 2-0 win in 2022/23.