Medeama, Nations FC early CAF inter-club elimination does not expose Ghana Premier League weakness - Henry Asante Twum

Ghana Football Association (GFA) Communications Director Henry Asante Twum

Ghana Football Association (GFA) Communications Director Henry Asante Twum has rejected claims that the early exits of Medeama SC and Nations FC from CAF competitions are evidence of a weak Ghana Premier League.

The two Ghanaian representatives were eliminated in the opening preliminary round of this season's continental competitions, prompting renewed debate over the standard of domestic football.

Medeama, the reigning Ghana Premier League champions, suffered a 4-1 aggregate defeat to Congolese giants TP Mazembe in the CAF Champions League, while MTN FA Cup winners Nations FC lost 2-1 on aggregate to Mali's Diarra FC in the CAF Confederation Cup.

Speaking to Akoma FM, Asante Twum argued that the fortunes of individual clubs in Africa should not be used as a direct measure of the quality of the domestic league.

He pointed to Paris Saint-Germain's recent dominance in European football as an example.

"PSG have won the UCL back-to-back, but Ligue 1 is not the best league in the world or even the best in Europe," he said.

"So why should someone say the performances of Medeama SC and Nations FC in Africa demonstrate how weak the GPL is? This is simply not a fact."

The GFA official also referenced Hearts of Oak's successful period in African football, insisting that their achievements did not automatically make the Ghana Premier League the continent's strongest competition.

"When Hearts of Oak were dominating Africa, was the Ghana Premier League the best? The answer is no. People should stop making such easy conclusions."

Asante Twum said continental success depends on more than domestic form, arguing that experience and exposure at the African level often play a decisive role.

"If Samartex or Medeama wins the league and then exits the African competition, does that mean the league is weak or bad? No.

"Rather, it could mean the team lacks the African exposure and experience needed to compete at that level."

Despite their eliminations, both Medeama and Nations FC are expected to receive $100,000 in participation money from CAF.

Medeama will now focus on defending their Ghana Premier League title, while Nations FC return to domestic action after completing their first-ever campaign in continental football.