Asante Kotoko SC made a difficult start to the 2025/26 league season despite maintaining head coach Karim Zito and the rest of technical staff. Yet, the Reds sit 5th on the log with eight points behind leaders Medeama SC.
Their attempt to clinch the title for the first time since 2021 already looks doomed after a shaky start of the second round.
Asante Kotoko have managed just one win in their last six away league games. Failing to pick points against Basake Holy Stars, Hohoe United FC, Eleven Wonders FC, Swedru All Blacks and Kpando Heart of Lions FC.
The only points snatched on the way was against Bibiani GoldStars FC.
The Kumasi-based outfit in their last six Premier league matches only won two despite humiliating Bechem United FC 6-0 at home. The overwhelming results showed glimpses of the Porcupine Warriors desire to challenge for the league title but has lost it now.
Following, a heavy away defeat to struggling Kpando Hearts of Lions FC over the weekend sees Asante Kotoko SC title challenge collapses.
Head coach Karim Zito has struggled to integrate players who returned from injuries into the squad, including Emmanuel Antwi, Walid Neymar Jnr, Henry Ansu, and even striker Morifing Donzo, while the players who were so instrumental to last season’s MTN FA Cup title win have largely failed to match those heights so far this campaign, perhaps struggling to find the motivation to go again.
Players likes Peter Amidu Acquah, Baba Yahaya and Dauda Saaka unable to replicate last season’s performance.
Despite having their shot-stopper Mohammed Camara leading most clean sheet (10) chart in the league, they have conceded two or more goals in a game when they have to suffer defeat.
Statistically, Kotoko are out of the race should they win all remaining 13 matches for Medeama SC to also harvest all wins. Considering, points accumulated at home (24) with seven wins their away performance is not any better.
11 points from 11 away league matches has convincingly highlighted Asante Kotoko SC poor away outings and a main reason that hint they have no muscles to battle for the title.
With 7 home matches left, the Reds are expected to fight for a possible 21 points which in reality would be a huge mountain for Kotoko to climb.
MATHEMATICALLY
Mathematically, Asante Kotoko SC has 39 points to push for with 18 points to come from away matches.
With the calculator, earning 39 points in addition to 35 points should be enough to hand Asante Kotoko SC the ultimate. But nonetheless, their statics does not back them to gather more than 26 points in the remaining fixtures having struggled to record three or four consecutive wins in the ongoing campaign.
Despite, Kotoko unbeaten in 18 home league matches since 2025 have yet to harvest three straight victories even at home.
Putting together the aforementioned, and Kotoko next eight matches defines their fate on challenging for the title.
NEXT 8 MATCHES
They will play Accra Hearts of Oak SC (H), Young Apostles FC (A), Vision FC (H), Karela United FC (A), Nations FC (H), Aduana FC (A), Samertex FC (H) and Medeama SC (A) in Tarkwa.
Fixtures that could easily see Kotoko drop points both home and away.
Asante Kotoko SC ambition of returning to Africa with the Premier league ticket thus play CAF Champions League currently languishing down with only hope to fall for the CAF Confederation Cup that is when the MTN FA Cup is easily won.
