CAF CC: Ashgold President Optimistic Of Victory Ahead Of Akonangui FC Clash

The president of Ashantigold Sporting Club, Dr Kwaku Frimpong, has predicted an away victory in Saturday's CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round clash against Akonangui FC of Equatorial Guinea in Ebebiyin.

Dr Frimpong, who led an 18-man squad to Togo, en route to Equatorial Guinea, on Wednesday, was convinced of an away win, considering the quality of his players.

"Trust me we are going to beat them (Akonangui FC) at their home ground because we have a very solid team to do the job", he told Graphic Sports Online in a pre-departure interview.

According to Dr Frimpong, aka Champion, he has revamped his well-drilled team with 11 new players who are equally competitive, making the Miners even stronger.

"I tell you, if you look at the players we have now, even the coach will have a problem selecting his first team for the match," he noted.

Ashgold, currently handled by Brazilian trainer, Ricardo Da Rocha, formerly of Ebusua Dwarfs, received a boost with the return of skipper Shafiu Mumuni from South Africa last Saturday.

Coach Da Rocha has also been enjoying the services of Brazilian midfielder, Marco Silva, who is said to have added verve to the team's midfield.

Dr Frimpong was full of praise for the Brazilian player, who recently signed a four-year deal alongside Coach Da Rocha.

"The Brazilian player is a quality player and his skills and defence-splitting passes will help the strikers to score the needed goals for us," Dr Frimpong added.

Saturday's game is the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round tie. The second leg will be honoured at the Obuasi Len Clay Stadium in two weeks time.

Ashgold qualified to represent Ghana in the competition after winning the Normalisation Committee Tier 1 tournament a couple of months back.