Supporters of newly-promoted Samartex 1996 FC will have to witness the club host its debut home game in the betPawa Ghana Premier League outside their traditional home grounds at the Nsenkyire Sports Arena.
This means the Samreboi-based club will have to host Berekum Chelsea at Akoon Park in Tarkwa on Monday, September 19.
The decision is due to the ongoing renovation works at the preferred home grounds to meet the Club Licensing Board’s standards.
According to Samartex Business Development Manager Paul Anyaba, it is unfortunate for the team’s passionate fan base.
“It’s unfortunate from our fans perspective because they’ve been with this team for 26 years hoping and praying for qualification and it is unfortunate that their first premier league game which is historic cannot be hosted at the Nsenkyire Sports Arena in Samreboi. However, I can report that we have done a lot of work on the facility, especially the pitch…we hope that the venue will be approved,” he stated.
Samartex drew goalless with Real Tamale United at the Aliu Mahama Stadium in Tamale in the opening round of games in the 2022-2023 season.
Meanwhile, its next opponent Berekum Chelsea began this year’s campaign with a 2-0 win over King Faisal.