“We the experienced players in the team will be together and push the boys so we win and win well,” Dauda said in confidence
“We have no option but to win. We know it will be difficult but we believe in ourselves and we know we can do it.”
“So we are preparing well.”
Ghana’s sole representative at this year’s Champions League begin their road to glory hoping to deliver the perfect Valentine’s day gift for all and sundry in the country.
In their first leg preliminary qualifier, Ashantigold face a tricky test against Algerian cup winners MO Bejaia who come into the clash brimming with confidence after a consistent run of form in the Algerian league.
Much doom has preceded the Miner’s buildup to this game. Lack of match practice due to the absence of the league coupled with an abysmal showing of the Miners in the G6 tournament, a lackluster display in the Ghana Super and an unimpressive boycotting of the medal presentation of the Super Cup.
However, St. Valentine comes bearing gifts of love for the Miners and with such, all their “sins” have been taken away and replaced with optimism.
Such hope is carried in the words of coach Bashir Hayford who believes he has devised the right strategy to counter the aerial prowess of the Algerians as he plots a comfortable victory for his side on Sunday.
“They are very strong, so our defenders also need to match them in the air and also be a bit physical. At the same time any time we attack them by using air balls, they will clear such balls and they won’t cause any threat upfront, so we will put them down and in situations whereby they get all the air balls from the 18-yard box, we would have to shoot from behind to catch them unaware,” he said.
The Miners came a whisker away from winning the CAF Champions League in 1997 and will be hoping the number 19 will be a lucky omen for them once again after winning the Ghana Premier league exactly 19 years after last winning.
However to achieve this, the Miners will need the support of all Ghanaians and this words have been re-echoed by Fatau Dauda.
“The most important thing is that the fans will be in the stadium to cheer us on. This is more of a national assignment rather than an Ashgold. The support will motivate us to victory,” Dauda said.
Ashantigold Team News:
Coach Bashir Hayford is expected to continue with his preferred 4-4-2 with Eric Opoku and Joseph Ato Bissah providing the energy and dynamism in the midfield while Isaac Amoah and Emmanuel Osei Baffour provide the artistry out wide. The back five is fairly settled from last season with Ghana international Fatau Dauda shielded by Augustine Sefa, Joshua Tijani, Kadri Mohammed and Nafiu Idrissu.
New signing Nuhu Fuseini and Mumuni Shafiu are expected to continue upfront despite being on a different wavelength in the Super Cup game.
Bejaia Team News
M.O Bejaia are on a high in Algeria lying third on the league log. As stated by Bashir Hayford, the Algerians rely on quick wing play and deliver crosses for the strong and powerful Senegalese Mohammed Ndoye who leads the club’s scoring charts with six goals.
The Senegalese is prepared for action as he set sights on breaking Ghanaian hearts.
“I am highly prepared for the game on Sunday. We are in Ghana to shock your champions before they come to Algeria,” Ndoye said.
“We are in Ghana for a positive result. We are ready to shock AshGold on Sunday. We played a game over the weekend and will be playing against AshGold in the Champions League.
I don’t like talking about what I have done but what I can do on Sunday,”
The Algerians often rely on a 4-3-3 formation but it will come as no surprise should they also rely on the usual North African tactics of trying to disrupt the flow of the game as much as possible.
Ashantigold hold the flag of Ghana and a comfortable victory will set the tone for an impressive Champions league run.
Follow Kweku on Twitter: @nana_odum. Get more updates on Facebook/Twitter with the #JoySports hashtag
Story by Ghana/Joy Sports/Kweku Arhin
We’ll no longer tolerate your empty, unwarranted attacks – TUC blasts Prof Adei
Bawumia donates GHc200,000 to support Madina fire victims
IMF to disburse US$360million third tranche to Ghana without creditors MoU
Truck owner share insights into train collision incident
Paramount chief of Bassare Traditional Area passes on
Two teachers in court over alleged illegal possession of BECE papers
Sunyani: Victim allegedly shot by traditional warriors appeals for justice
Mahama vows to scrap teacher licensure exams, review Free SHS policy
Government will replace burnt Madina shops with a new three-story, 120-store fac...
