Ashgold are Top 4 champs

Ashgold S. C. were yesterday officially declared  2014 Top 4 champions after beating New Edubiase United in a coronation match at the Len Clay Sports Stadium at Obuasi.

Accra Hearts of Oak were originally the finalists for the match, but pulled out due to a stand-off with the organisers.  

Both Hearts and Ashgold had drawn 1-1 in the final game played last week at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi. The miners took the lead through former goalking Emmanuel Baffour, but Kwame Kizito pulled even for the Phobians.

But just as the game was heading for a penalty- shoot, the organisers had the two teams to agree on  a second leg final at the Accra Sports Stadium.

But Ashgold CEO, Kudjoe Fianoo, made it clear his team would not travel outside the Ashanti Region for the game.

According to the Public Relations Officer of Hearts, Muheeb Saeeb, insisted that the organisers after reneging on their promise to play the game in Accra failed to provide a financial guarantee for the cost of playing in Kumasi, compelling them to pull out.

Mr. Isaac Coomson, a GHALCA official, told the GNA Sport that, the association worked within the rules and regulations and as such had no choice than to declare the miners winners of the competition.  

Mr. Coomson said demands being made by Hearts to the effect that they needed a time extension had no basis, saying the GHALCA therefore found it appropriate to crown Ashgold as champions.

Ashgold still beat New Edubiase 2-1 in the Coronation match to still lift the Top 4 trophy.

Namibian import Shitembi Peti scored the opener, in the 24th minute but Eric Fordwor pulled even for the visitors before Augustine Sefah grabbed the match winner in the 74th minute.