It’s make or break for Ashgold
It’s been a troubled start for Ashantigold as nothing seems to be working for the 2015/16 Premier League Champions whose head coach Bashir Hayford jumped ship last week before being pushed out after a poor run of results.
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His assistant, Yakubu Mambo, was handed the task of salvaging the sinking ship but after a home draw with Bolga All Stars and a 3-0 trouncing by WAFA last Wednesday, it appears Mambo’s days as caretaker coach are numbered.
Now, former Asante Kotoko coach, Michael Osei, is set to take over the Obuasi club, the Graphic Sports has gathered.
Ashgold chief executive, Kudjoe Fianoo confirmed to this paper yesterday that negotiations were far advanced for Osei to assume the reins of the Aboakese club who currently lie last but one on the league log and have a difficult home clash with Accra Hearts of Oak tomorrow.
Meanwhile, there is uneasy calm in the camp of Kumasi Asante Kotoko after some irate supporters of the club stormed their Adako Jachie training grounds and prevented Coach Zdravko Logarusic from conducting training yesterday afternoon in preparation for Sunday’s league clash with Ebusua Dwarfs.
In the midst of the ensuing commotion, Kotoko’s Croatian coach fled the scene in his Toyota Tundra, with his assistants Godwin Ablordey and Shilla Alhassan later taking charge of training when calm was restored.
For Ashgold, tomorrow’s match at the Len Clay Stadium is a make or break as they risk slipping to the bottom of the league table unless they find the winning formula against a confident Hearts side who recorded their biggest win of the season with a 4-2 thumping of Bechem United in Accra last Wednesday.
This season, Ashgold have lost their fear factor even at Obuasi where they have won two and lost two out of five games. But the Phobians are yet to win away but remain a side picking up the pieces and showing steady improvement under Scottish coach Frank Nuttall and present a formidable threat to Ashgold tomorrow. The Phobians will seek a repeat performance after winning last season’s encounter 2-1 at Obuasi.
However, stand-in coach Mambo will need to deploy smart tactics and provide inspiration for his charges such as strikers Hans Kwofie and Joshua Tijani must rediscover their scoring boots while midfielders Shafiu Mumuni Eric Opoku and Amos Addai provide support in midfield.
Tomorrow, Hearts’ faithful will be in expectant mood as Cosmos Dauda, Richard Akrofi and Fatau Mohammed, who were on the scoresheet against Bechem last Wednesday, attempt to exploit Ashgold’s vulnerability and deepen their woes.
On Sunday, Medeama will trek to Berekum to clash with Chelsea at the Golden City Park, while third-placed Asante Kotoko seek to end a three-game winless streak when they play host to 10th placed Dwarfs, Inter Allies will play as guests of Bechem United, Tema Youth will welcome Wa All Stars to the Tema Stadium, Accra Great Olympics face second-placed Aduana Stars.
In other matches, Elmina Sharks play league leaders WAFA at the Nduom Stadium and bottom club Bolga All Stars host Liberty Professionals at the Tamale Utrecht Academy Park.