Ghana Premier League: Why is AshGold struggling despite squad in-depth?

Ashanti are struggling to survive in the Ghana Premier League despite, having won the league title last season to end their trophy drought since the 1995-96 season, they had last won a major competition.

After watching the Miners, display an eye pleasing performance to outplay the league leaders Accra Hearts of Oak at their own backyard on Wednesday 27 July in a game that ended 1-1, I have been wondering why they are failing to get wins.

The 14 draws recorded by Ashanti Gold is the highest so far in the league and it would surprise you to note that despite all the struggles by the Miners, they have lost just two away league games, but are yet to register an away league victory, aside the one against New Edubiase United, who have adopted the Len Clay Sports Stadium as their home grounds. They lost in the first round at Dansoman against Liberty Professionals in the first round and lost at Sogakope to WAFA in the first round.

One would wonder why, the Miners who made the Obuasi Len Clay Sports Stadium a fortress last season on their way to winning their first major title in 19 years are battling to get things right at home. They have lost two (2), won three (3) and drawn six (6), which is very uncalled for, because a champion should put fear in visiting clubs, but in this case they are rather comfortable playing there.

I can vulge my hearts out that Ashanti Gold have the best of quality than any other side in the Ghana Premier League.

The Miners in post have two of the finest goalkeepers on the local scene: Robert Dabuo, a former Black Stars, goalkeeper, who would start in any team, but is now losing his starting position to Fatau Dauda, Black Stars goalkeeper.

Tijani Joshua is the right full-back for the Local Black Stars, Nti Mensa and Augustine Sefah, competes for a place on the left side of the lateral defence. In the heart of defence are two of the finest pair in Ghana league: Kadir Mohammed and Awudu Nafiu. Kadiri is rated by many football connoisseurs as the best centre-back in the league. In just his second season, the young defender plays with confidence and maturity, as if he has several years of experience. It is one of the good works of coach Bashir, Hayford, who believed in several Goldfields Academy players by promoting them to the senior team. Awudu Nafiu is a tried and tested defender, who has seen in it all in the league, having had stint with clubs like King Faisal and Berekum Chelsea.

In midfield Ashanti Gold have the likes of Eric Opoku, last season's best player of the Ghana Premier League, Atto  Bissah, a former best player of the league, Amos Addai, one of the young academy players promoted last season to the season team, Emmanuel Osei Baffour, the most exciting player in the Ghana Premier League. He was also promoted to the senior team by coach Bashir Hayford and even in his debut league season, he gave defenders torrid time.

Also Alhassan Nuhu, Anthony Yarful, etc are all quality materials, who would start in most clubs in the league.

In attack, the Miners have Fusei Nuhu, whose twin brother is Alhassan Nuhu. They were both signed from New Edubiase United this season: Fuseini scored over 10 league goals for New Edubiase United last season, but he is finding it tough to replicate that form at AshGold. However, he looks promising and his total contribution to team play is not bad. Also Shafiu Mumuni is one of the strikers, who are able to torment opposing sides.

Ashanti Gold have quality  indepth than any other side in the Ghana Premier League, however, they are not getting things right.

When things were not getting better and with pressure mounting on the management and technical team to deliver, Coach Bashiru Hayford, the league's wining coach forced himself out, with excuse of pursuing a training course, while the head of the management team Kudjoe Fianoo, also almost threw in the towel by tendering his resignation, but the board refused to accept it.

Assistant coach Mamba has taken over mantle in AshGold's quest to keep their heads above the waters. The results have started coming under his watch, having won two lost won 2 and drawn 3 of the past 5 league games in charge.

But, I still believe the Miners have the quality to win greater percentage of the rest of the 8 remaining league games and finish in a respectable position or better still be in the race for the league title in order not to lose it easily.

This is not the time for the blame game by pointing accusing fingers on any party. Although, it might be that Bashir Hayford had issues with some of his players and were not ready to play for him. Hence after, after he decided to step aside the Miners, who had not won in 8 league games won it and also recorded back to back wins at home for the first time this season.

AshGold shouldn't let it be a cancer that whenever, the team get to the top, they end up getting to their knees and even have to battle relegation in order to survive in the league. It happened in the 1997-98 season, after AshGold had won three consecutive league titles and reached the final of the maiden CAF Champions League, but lost via penalty shootout against RAJA Casablanca of Morocco, the Miners finished in the drop zone and needed an unprecedented play-off to beat relegation.

All stakeholders have to put their arsenals together to ensure our idol club's reputation as a giant in the league is not put into a disrepute.

Long Live Aboakese.