Ashgold Were Golden In Abidjan
After their exploits in Abidjan last Saturday in their CAF confederation Cup against Sewe Sports, Ghana’s representatives, Ashgold, must be relishing qualification for a crunch battle against Tunisia giants, Etoile du Sahel, in yet another journey to a politically-troubled territory.
The miners began this maiden campaign in the CAF Confederation Cup with a journey to troubled African state, Cote d’Ivoire, and emerged unscathed as they beat their Ivorian counterparts 1-0 at the Robert Champrou artificial turf which has become the home grounds for the two representatives of Cote d’ Ivoire in this year’s CAF Inter-club competition, Asec Mimosa and Sewe Sports.
Even though qualification to the next stage still hinges on the second leg battle at the Obuasi Len Clay Stadium, the arithmetics and odds appear to be in favour of the miners.
But Ashgold’s Croatian coach, Zdravko Logarusic, who spearheaded last Saturday’s conquest in Abidjan insists that a lot more needs to be done on the team before he deploys his charges to battlefield for the second leg.
“Its good that the second leg will be in March after the Africa Nations Championship in Sudan, and we will play a couple of games including the FA Cup match against Chelsea which will help to build up the toughness of the team for the second game against the Ivorians”, he stated.
“Of course, Ashgold have the advantage at this stage. They have an away goal and also the support at home”, he added.
To him, looking at the fluid game showcased by the Ivorians, it was cruel injustice that they did not earn at least a draw for their troubles.
Indeed, Ashantigold’s survival in the game was largely the result of brilliant goalkeeping by goalkeeper Fatau Dauda that thwarted every glorious opportunity by the homesters to win the day.
The former Black Stars goalkeeper who was also part of the Ashgold team that played in the 2006 and 2007 Champions League campaign was in magnificent form, and his experience rubbed off on the team that appeared nervous as most of them were playing at the continental stage for the first time, even when the stadium was virtually empty, with Sewe were playing away from their San Pedro base.
In the very first minute after they kicked off, Ashgold surrendered their hold on the game and Fatau was called to duty when he pushed a teasing volley to safety.
Sewe, who placed third last season in the Ivorian League ahead of strong forces like Asec Mimosa, and boast of six players in the Ivorian squad for the Africa Nations Championship which kicks off in Sudan on Friday, played with zeal and with Julius Cesar Yabour and Marc Goua whose enterprise was the source of dominance for Sewe Sports, ensured that the action remained in the Ashgold half.
Indeed at one stage, Sampson, in desperation, kicked the ball to Usman Fofana whose attempt at goal was once again foiled by goalkeeper Fatau.
Against the run of play, Nigerian import Salomon Wisdom forcefully broke through the defence of Sewe on the 13th minute, but his shot was fisted out by national goalkeeper Ali Sangare to corner which was wasted. Addoquaye Addo in one of the few attempts by Ashgold at this stage also wasted a glorious opportunity.
Tragedy struck Sewe when goalkeeper Sangare, after a clash with Michael Boakye, was stretchered off and replaced by Sylva Ebohoum who conceded the first goal on the 25th minute when stocky striker Yakubu Mohammed bravely forced his way through a cluster of legs to centre for Alhaji Saani to tap into the net.