Nations FC eyes redemption against Kotoko in Ashanti derby
Nations FC will look to bounce back when they welcome a resurgent Asante Kotoko to the Dr Kwame Kyei Sports Complex on Saturday, in one of the standout fixtures of Premier League Matchday 5.
The hosts come into the encounter following a 2-1 defeat to Medeama SC last weekend in Tarkwa, their second loss of the campaign. With only four points from four matches (W1, D1, L2), Nations FC is enduring one of their slowest starts to a league season since their top-flight debut in 2023. They currently sit in the bottom half of the table, having scored three goals and conceded four.
Form across all competitions has been a concern for Head Coach Kassim Mingle Ocansey, whose side has lost six of their last eight matches (W1, D1). He will, however, take comfort in Nations FC’s strong home record, where they have lost only once in their last eight league fixtures (W6, D1).
The Abrankese outfit also boast a solid record against Kotoko at home, having gone unbeaten in their last two meetings with the Porcupine Warriors (W1, D1). They have kept three clean sheets in their last four league encounters between the sides, highlighting their defensive strength in this fixture.
Asante Kotoko, meanwhile, head into the match brimming with confidence after a 1-0 victory over defending champions Bibiani GoldStars in their Matchweek Two fixture. That result extended Kotoko’s unbeaten start to the 2025/26 campaign (W2, D1) and lifted them to fourth on the table with seven points.
The Porcupine Warriors have been solid defensively, remaining one of only two teams yet to concede a goal this season. Head Coach Abdul Karim Zito will, however, be urging his players to turn that defensive discipline into consistent results away from home.
Kotoko’s away form in the league has been mixed, with only one win in their last 11 away league games (D6, L4). They have shown signs of improvement recently, winning their last three away matches in all competitions. A victory in Abrankese would mark their first back-to-back away league wins since December 2024 and give them early-season momentum.
