Joseph Hendricks: Ex-Kotoko defender urges supporters to cheer Ashgold to victory

Joseph Hendrick , one time a dependable pillar in defence for Ashanti Gold FC has stated that the Ghana champions would make a bigger impact in the first leg of the CAF Champions League preliminary stage,  if their teeming supporters rally behind them.

Ashanti Gold will face M.O Bejaia from Algeria in the first leg at the Len Clay Sport Stadium, Obuasi on Sunday before travelling to Bejaia for the 2nd leg in two weeks' time.

Ghanaian clubs have poor record against Algerian oppositions in African Inter Club competitions, with Accra Hearts of Oak being the only side that succeeded to knock out a club from Algeria in the elimination stages.

Despite Algerian superiority against Ghanaian clubs, Joseph Hendrick who once captained Ashgold believes the supporters of the hosts can make the first leg tie easier.

'This fight is neither for only the players nor the management. As the players fight their hearts through out the entire 90 minutes, the supporters are expected to also cheer the team on by singing and drumming brass band.

'I think they can be the deciding factor as Ashgold play in the CAF Champions League,'

In 2013 JSM Bejaia a  club in the same town with M.O Bejaia managed to eliminate Asate Kotoko, who were representing Ghana as league  champions and in 2015 Kotoko again suffered their first home defeat to a North African opposition when El Eulma from Algeria staged a 2-1 victory at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.