Defending MTN FA Cup champions, Kumasi Asante Kotoko face a tough test to hold on to the trophy when they welcome Ghana Premier League (GPL) rivals, Aduana FC to the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi on Sunday in the round of 16 of the 2025/26 campaign.
The epic clash between two of the top favourites is the highlight of eight thrilling fixtures as the remaining teams in this year’s tournament go in search of a place in the last 8, the path to the finals having being revealed by the final draw at the Ghana Football Association (GFA) headquarters in Accra last week.
Six lower league sides are still in contention to replicate the feats of last year’s beaten finalists, Golden Kick who came close to following in the footsteps of Nania FC, the historic 2011 champions, playing out of the Division One League.
With 10 representatives at this stage however, the top flight sides will be keen to affirm their superiority in three match-ups against lower tier sides, already assured of four quater final slots in as many all-GPL clashes.
The action gets underway at the Nii Adjei Kraku Sports Complex in Tema on Friday as struggling top flight side, Eleven Wonders host last season’s surprise semi-finalists, Attram De Visser in one of two GPL versus Division League One (DOL) clashes.
The knockout show continues with two all-top flight ties on Saturday featuring Nations FC at home to Swedru All Blacks at the Dr. Kwame Kyei Sports Complex in Abrankese and runaway league leaders Medeama SC (2-time champions) against FC Samartex at the TNA Stadium in Tarkwa.
The quarter final line-up will be finalised on Sunday when the remaining 5 fixtures take centrestage across the country, including the crunch cliffhanger in Kumasi between Kotoko and Aduana.
Another ‘David versus Goliath’ match-ups pits sensational Division Two League side, True Life FC against Kpando Heart of Lions at the Nii Adjei Kraku Sports Complex in Tema.
True Life remain the only third tier league team in the competition following their shock elimination of record winners, Accra Hearts of Oak in the round of 64 last December. They then ousted DOL side, WAFA SC in the last 32 and now eye another upset against Heart of Lions who have struggled for form in the GPL this term.
Meanwhile, 2023 champions, Dreams FC (GPL) face 2014 finalists, Inter Allies FC (DOL) at the Tuba Astro Turf whilst GPL highflyers, Berekum Chelsea host DOL Zone One A leaders, Tamale City at the Golden City Park.
Concluding the fixtures to determine this season’s quarter finalists is the all-second tier league tie between Techiman Liberty Youth and ‘Pride of the North,’ Real Tamale United (RTU) at the Ohene Ameyaw Park in Techiman.
Per the draw, winner of Dreams-Inter Allies will meet the True Life-Heart of Lions winner in the quarter final, whilst the winners of Eleven Wonders-Attram De Visser and Medeama-Samartex clash in the other last 8 tie in that side of the draw.
The other side of the road to the final sees the Kotoko-Aduana winner clash against Techiman Liberty-RTU winner in the quarter finals, whereas Nations-All Blacks winner meets the winner of Chelsea-Tamale City for a semi final spot.
Quarter final matches are scheduled for March 13-16, semi finals on April 17-20 and grand finale on the weekend of May 30-31, 2026.
Full quarter final fixtures:
Asante Kotoko vs Aduana FC
Dreams FC vs Inter Allies
Eleven Wonders vs Attram De Visser
True Life vs Heart of Lions
Techiman Liberty Youth vs Real Tamale United
Berekum Chelsea vs Tamale City
Medeama vs Samartex
Nations FC vs Swedru All Blacks
