FC Samartex 1996, the reigning Ghana Premier League winners, is hoping to rebound in the second half after a dismal start that left them in ninth place, 10 points behind the top team.
After winning the Club of the Year award at the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) Awards in Accra, FC Samartex General Manager Edmund Ackah told Sports Tribune that the club would overcome its first-round struggles, which he attributed to their maiden continental campaign disrupting their domestic momentum.
FC Samartex made their CAF Champions League debut last September, losing 4-2 on aggregate to Moroccan heavyweights Raja Casablanca in the penultimate qualifying round after their historic Premier League win.
They beat Cameroun’s Victoria United home and away to bring up the Raja match. Unfortunately, this has hurt their domestic form. Compared to last season’s title-winning run, Samreboi’s team has only won five of 19 league games this season.

However, Mr. Ackah is optimistic that the team will come around. Seven important players were injured during their African campaign, which started with a pre-tournament friendly against Togo’s Kara. He blamed ailments for their slow start.
“Playing in Africa was difficult. Seven first-team players were injured in our Kara friendly before the Cameroonian and Raja Casablanca games, “Mr. Ackham stated.
He thinks the Timber Giants are recovering their groove from those injuries. “We have our entire squad back, difficulties rectified, and confidence restored. The last five games have been encouraging, revealing our potential, ” he said.
Mr. Ackah says FC Samartex’s successes are amazing despite domestic and continental problems. Their historic title win earned them the SWAG Club of the Year award, which he thinks was well-deserved.
He told Sports Tribune: “This is expected. “We won the league in our second season in the top flight, which is amazing,”
“Our record—points, goals, and few losses—was unprecedented. Being the best team was inevitable. We were anticipated to be honored by SWAG after winning ‘Club of the Year’ at the Ghana Football Awards.”