Ibrahim Tanko calls for strong fan support against Samartex

The league leaders travel to the Nsenkyire Sports Arena in Samreboi on Sunday, 18 October, for a Matchday 7 fixture against a Samartex side that will be eager to reduce the gap at the top of the table.

Tanko believes the supporters have played an important role in Medeama’s progress and wants them to continue providing the team with the backing they have shown in both favourable and difficult moments.

“I think it’s the same message as always. They are our backbone, and they always support us in good and bad times,” he said.

“As you said, it’s not so far, so we hope to see many of them there to encourage the players to give their best.”

Medeama enter the encounter at the summit of the standings with 14 points from their opening six matches. Four victories and two draws have kept them unbeaten, and they will be looking to extend that record against one of their closest challengers.

Samartex, meanwhile, occupy third place with 11 points and will be seeking to take advantage of playing at home to move closer to the leaders. With only three points separating the two sides, the outcome could have an impact on the early-season title race.

However, Medeama face a difficult task as they attempt to preserve their position at the top. They are yet to secure a victory away to Samartex, having made four previous visits to the Nsenkyire Sports Arena without winning.

Those encounters have produced two defeats and two draws, a record Tanko will be keen to change when the teams meet again on Sunday.

Last season’s league meetings also offered little to separate the sides, with both matches ending in draws. Their encounter in Samreboi finished goalless, underlining the challenge Medeama could face against their hosts.

The visitors will therefore need to overcome both Samartex’s home advantage and their own disappointing record at the venue if they are to return with all three points.

Tanko’s appeal to the supporters reflects the importance he places on their contribution as Medeama prepare for another demanding league assignment. He hopes a strong travelling contingent will help motivate the players to produce their best performance and deliver a result that keeps the club firmly in control of the standings.

With Samartex also targeting a positive result to close the gap, Sunday’s contest promises to be an important test for both teams as the Ghana Premier League campaign continues.

For Medeama, victory would provide another opportunity to strengthen their position at the top, while a positive result for Samartex would bring them closer to the league leaders. Tanko will be hoping the backing of the travelling supporters can help his players overcome their away record and continue their unbeaten start to the season.