FC Samartex 1996 regained their position at the top of the Ghana Premier League table with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Medeama in the Western derby on Sunday.
The decisive goal came from Francis Gyetuah in the 37th minute of the match at the Nsenkyire Stadium in Aboi.
This win propelled Samartex back to the summit of the table, reclaiming their lead after Nations FC had briefly taken the top spot with a win over Great Olympics the day before. Samartex now hold a two-point advantage over their rivals following their gritty victory against Medeama.
Samartex goalkeeper Kofi Baah returned to the starting lineup after recovering from malaria, while Baba Hamadu led the attack for the home side.
Meanwhile, Medeama coach Nebojsa Kapor made changes to his lineup, with Kelvin Nkrumah and Diawise Taylor starting on the bench, and injured players Jean Vital and Derrick Fordjour not involved. However, midfielder Manuel Mantey and captain Baba Musah Abdulai managed to recover in time to feature in the match.
Samartex showcased their resilience and determination in this crucial fixture, demonstrating their ability to contend for the league title.
Their victory was a testament to their strength and focus, especially against a Medeama side that has struggled to find consistency and form since their elimination from the group stage of the CAF Champions League.
With this win, Samartex now sit comfortably at the top of the table with 45 points, leading Nations FC by two points, while Aduana Stars FC trail in third place with 39 points. Defending champions Medeama have slipped to ninth place on the table with 33 points.
