Ashgold must rise to the occasion

This weekend AshantiGold begin another continental campaign on Sunday with a home clash with Algerian champions Mouloudia Olympique de Bejaia in the preliminary round of the CAF Champions League.

The Soccer Miners go into the match with home advantage but not tested enough to make the clear favourites due to the delayed start of the league. Unlike Bejaia, who have played no less than 20 league matches and lie in third place on the Algerian championship log, the Aboakese lads have no such luxury of regular competition since winning the First Capital Plus Premier League five months ago.

However, Coach Bashir Hayford and his charges must realise there is no room for excuses not to win on Sunday and go far in the competition. The shutdown of the Obuasi mines comes at a huge cost to the club as the parent company, Anglogold Ashanti, wants to cut back their investment, but good, consistent performances in the continental competition will make them very attractive to corporate bodies and also serve as a strong motivating factor for Anglogold to continue their financial commitment to the club whose success often brings a feel-good spirit among residents of the mining town.

The huge investment required to play continental competition makes it imperative that Ashgold strive to advance far in the competition to at least the money zone where they are guaranteed good financial returns to justify their participation in Africa’s elite club competition.

Ashgold’s performance in last Sunday’s Super Cup against Medeama was not very convincing but their technical handlers are not oblivious of the huge task that awaits them, particularly as they play against a well-drilled side from a very competitive league.

Aside from the disadvantage of a lack of regular competition, Coach Hayford has very fine talents who when well-motivated could rise to the occasion at the Len Clay stadium and get their continental campaign off to a flying start, which will also serve as a motivation for Medeama who are representing Ghana in the CAF Confederation Cup.