Weather Won"t Favour Ashgold - MO Bejaia

Mouloudia Olympique de Béjaïa club captain, Zahir Zerdab has revealed their CAF champions league opponent, Obuasi Ashantigold will have the North African weather to contend with when the two sides meet at the Stade de l’Unité Maghrébine on Sunday.

 

The Algerian side host Ashgold in the return leg tie after losing the first leg by a lone goal at the Obuasi Len Clay stadium and MO Bejaia believe just as the hot weather played to their guests advantage; the second leg at home and with the cold weather should play to their favour.

 

“The weather in Algeria now is good actually, it is around 20-23 degrees and that is a good temperature for play football. Maybe it will be cold for Ashgold as the temperature went against us in Ghana; it was about 28 degrees celsius. This weather will be good for our team but not your team (Ashgold),” Kumasi based, Boss FM.

 

“I want my team to qualify and obviously that is normal,” he added.

Weather Won"t Favour Ashgold - MO Bejaia

Our Morale Is Down - Mo Bejaia

Zahir Zerdab, captain of Algerian club, Mouloudia Olympique de Béjaïa, referred to commonly as MO Béjaïa has  revealed morale in their camp is very low after a disappointing run of defeats going into the second leg tie of the CAF champions league clash against Ashgold.

 

MO Bejaia lost the first leg at the Obuasi Len Clay stadium in Ghana by a Tijani Joshua lone goal in the second half of a game that saw missed chances for either side. The ‘Crab’ as Bejaia is commonly referred to has lost their last two games at home losing to NA Hussein Dey and USM Alger in the Algerian league.

 

Zahir in an interview with Boss FM, said, “our morale is not very well as we have recorded three defeats in a row including the first leg defeat to Ashgold in Ghana.”

 

“We have to immediately halt this poor run of form as the pressure coming in from the fans means they need a win and qualification into the next round in our next game against Ashgold,” he added.

 

This news in addition to an opening game win the 2015/16 Ghana Premier League against Medeama SC should boost the confidence of Ashgold going into the game though Ghanaian clubs don’t have a good record against North African clubs.

Our Morale Is Down - Mo Bejaia

League Start Will Help Us In Return Leg Game - Ashgold

Ashantigold communication director, Kofi Owusu has admitted their sides performance against Algerian club, MO Bejaia would have been different had the Ghana premier league been in session.

 

 

The Obuasi based club were in continental club competition over the weekend against MO Bejaia for the first time since they lost the 1997 final against Moroccan side, Raja Casablanca.

 

The Miners won the game by a goal to nil thanks to a 61st minute strike from Joshua Tijani but it was the performance of the strikers that many feel will if not have cause the elimination of the team going into the second in Algeria knowing how difficult it is going to be to beat MO Bejaia.

 

The club’s director for communication, Kofi Owusu in an interview with sportscrusader.com conceded Ashgold could have won by more goals had the league been ongoing. 

He said,  “We would have been sharper and much ready for the MO Bejaia had the league been in session but the opening game against Medeama SC is just the perfect match before we travel to Algeria for the second leg. ”

 

 

Ashgold play MO Bejaia in a fortnight but that will be after the league opening game against Medeama SC – the side that beat the “Aboakese” in the super cup clash.

League Start Will Help Us In Return Leg Game - Ashgold

Ashgold Champs League Opponent Arrive

Obuasi AshantiGold SC opponents  in Sunday’s CAF Champions League competition, Mouloudia Olympique de Bejaia of Algeria have arrived in the country on Friday morning.

 

 

They have checked into the Golden Tulip Hotel, Kumasi and will train at the Obuasi Len Clay stadium (venue for the game) on Saturday afternoon as CAF competition rules require.

 

MO Bejaia arrive for CAF champions league clash against Ashgold

MO Bejaia arrive for CAF champions league clash against Ashgold

MO Bejaia arrive for CAF champions league clash against Ashgold

MO Bejaia arrive for CAF champions league clash against Ashgold

MO Bejaia arrive for CAF champions league clash against Ashgold

MO Bejaia arrive for CAF champions league clash against Ashgold

MO Bejaia arrive for CAF champions league clash against Ashgold

MO Bejaia arrive for CAF champions league clash against Ashgold

Ashgold Champs League Opponent Arrive

Ashgold Outline Plans For Champs League Opponent

Mouloudia Olympique de Bejaia of Algeria, opponents of Obuasi AshantiGold SC in Sunday’s CAF Champions League competition, will arrive in the country at 5am on Friday via Royal Air Maroc ahead of their clash in Obuasi on Sunday at the Len Clay Stadium.

 

 

Nicknamed ‘The Crab,’ M.O Bejai will be making their debut African Inter Club’s campaign against the 1997 CAF Champions League, losing finalist with the hopes of maintaining Algeria’s nearly unblemished club successes over Ghanaian opponents in the last two decades.

 

 

Mr. Kudjo Fianoo, Chief Executive Officer of AshGold speaking on the visitors arrival schedule noted that they have come into an agreement to foot the bills of the visitors while in the country, while the Algerians do same for the return leg in a fortnight’s time.

“They communicated the idea to use and we took a look at it and accepted it.”

 

According to Mr. Fianoo soon after arrival at the Kotoka International Airport, the team would be flown to the Garden City by Africa World Airline where they would lodge at the plush Golden Tulip Hotel.

 

Ashgold SC have secured the Opoku Ware School Park for the team (MO Bejaia) to train tomorrow afternoon and then move to the Len Clay Stadium on Saturday afternoon to hold the CAF mandatory training ahead of the game on Sunday.

Ashgold Outline Plans For Champs League Opponent

It"s Difficult To See Ashgold Qualify But... - Herbert Addo

Veteran Ghanaian coach, Herbert Addo has expressed his skepticism at the opportunity of Ashgold qualifying beyond the elimination stage of the CAF champions league.

 

The Obuasi based club will meet Algerian club, MO Bejaia in the elimination clash first leg at the Obuasi Len Clay stadium and the home advantage should have been a motivation for football fans but rather the absence of

competitive premier league games in Ghana casts doubt on the fitness level of the ‘Aboakese’ players.

 

Herbert Addo with his vast experience in the Ghanaian premier league and haven led club’s like Kotoko and Hearts into CAF competitions has expressed mixed feelings at the chance of the Ghanaian club making it into the group stage citing the absence of the Ghana premier league as a reason why should Ashgold fail is the reason why.

 

The former Hearts coach who returned to his old side, Inter Allies after a disastrous second return to the Phobians said, “Ashgold’s disadvantage is they are not involved in a competitive game unlike their champions league opponent (Mo Bejaia) who have played 20-matches in the Algerian league. Ashgold can qualify but that will be difficult as it is tougher playing these North African teams and the past experience can attest to that.”

 

“The clubs are well organised – own stadium, well-structured football academy’s and sponsorship deals have flooded these clubs and with many games under their belt in both the league and cup games I’m only praying Ashgold

can qualify though difficult I’m hoping they do qualify,” he added.

 

 

Ashgold play MO Bejaia on Feb 14 at the Len Clay stadium for the first leg of the CAF champions league tie.

It"s Difficult To See Ashgold Qualify But... - Herbert Addo

Mo Bejaia Are "Far Ahead" Of Ashgold - Eric Opoku

Ashgold versatile player, Eric Opoku has tipped CAF champions league opponents, Algerian side, MO Bejaia as favourite going into the 1st leg of their elimination clash at the Len Clay sports stadium.

 

The 24-year-old midfielder who received the most prestigious award during the end of season awards gala for the 2014/15 season will lead the Obuasi based club going into the tie and hope the club’s slump in form since the season ended would turn around starting with the champions league clash against the Algerian side.

The 2014/15 First Capital Plus Premier League champions have failed to impress the club’s fans and with their recent defeat coming against Medeama SC in the super clash at the Accra sports stadium and Opoku’s assessment of the team’s chances gives little hope that things will change. Ashgold have played just three competitive games – two were in the maiden GHALCA G6 tourney and the super clash game making it three.

 

Mo Bejaia lie third on the Algerian Ligue 1 table with 31-points after 20-games whilst Ashgold are yet to kick a ball in the Ghana premier league (GPL) this season (2015/16) – league starts on February 20 and it is based on this the former Kumasi Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak player, Opoku believes gives the Algiers an advantage.

 

“We have seen video footage of their games on numerous occasions but their physique – structure and height gives them an advantage going into the game but we have deployed a strategy – keep the ball down to our advantage,” Opoku said.

 

 

“They are very well organised and with their league still in session are much fit for the game than we are. We will have to defend more and play on the counter attack as we are behind in terms of match fitness, he added.

 

Ashgold will host MO Bejaia on Sunday, February 14 at the Len Clay stadium.

Mo Bejaia Are "Far Ahead" Of Ashgold - Eric Opoku

Our Strikers Failed Us In Medeama Defeat - Ashgold

2014/15 Ghana premier league champions, Obuasi Ashantigold SC lost their first competitive game of the season as a loan goal from Medeama forward, was enough for the Tarkwa based side to win the coveted super clash trophy.

 

 

Both teams needed the game as Ghana’s sole representative in CAF champions league and confederations cup tournament as league winners and FA cup champions and Medeama SC played as the better side of the two.

Ashgold believe a combination of poor officiating from referee David Lartey and strings of bad luck caused their defeat but the club is ready to fix the goal scoring challenge.

 

Speaking in an interview to Kumasi based, Boss fm, the club’s communication director, Kofi Yawson believes the super clash game has revealed the loop holes within the team and the competence of coach Bashiru Hayford will help fix the cracks.

 

“Our attack disappointed us in the defeat to Medama during the super cup clash and the technical team immediately after the game addressed the team.”

 

“For the next few training sessions the focus will be on fine tuning the attackers going into an elimination competition like the CAF champions league. Like in all elimination competitions goals play a huge factor and the technical handlers will fix that,” he added.

 

Ashgold will face Algerian club, Mo Bejaia on Sunday as the club returns to continental competition for the first time since 1997.

Our Strikers Failed Us In Medeama Defeat - Ashgold

We"re Ready To Face Algerian Club - Ashgold Striker

Obuasi Ashantigold striker, Emmanuel Osei Carlos has assured the club’s fans and Ghanaian football loving fans his side are ready to do battle for both mother Ghana and the club.

 

 

Ashgold won the 2014/15 First Capital Plus Premier League (FCPPL) after over a decade without winning the trophy they were used to in the mid and late 90s. The ‘Aboakese’ club are not minnows in the CAF champions league and will look to make full merit of experienced players like goalkeeper, Fatau Dauda who played in the competition during his bad spell with South African club, Orlando Pirates.

 

Striker Osei carlos who played in the FCPPL 2014/15 victorious team is in excited mood going into Africa but has asked for the fans to troop to the stadium in their numbers and help make the atmosphere an intimidating one for their guest (Mo Bejaia).

 

In an interview with Kumasi based, Boss fm, Carlos said, “Our training sessions and preparations towards the game signifies our readiness to face Mo Bejaia. The home game has given us the opportunity to have an advantage (beat Bejaia by 3/4-goals to nil) in the first leg as we know how difficult it is to play the North African clubs in their home grounds”

“For some of the players it is the first time to be involved in an African club competition and this isn’t making us nervous but rather a motivating factor to justify our preparedness for any club,” he added.

 

Ashgold will play MTN FA cup winners, Medeama SC in the 2015/16 season curtain raiser – the Super clash on Sunday 8th February before hosting Algerian club, MO Bejaia on Feb 14 at the Len Clay sports stadium.

We"re Ready To Face Algerian Club - Ashgold Striker

We Don"t Need To Win Against Medeama But... - Coach Bashiru Hayford

AshantiGold coach Bashiru Hayford has talked the favourite tag and win-at-all cost suggestion from football pundits and some fans going into the annual curtain-raiser for the upcoming 2015/16 Ghana premier league season.

 

 

Ashantigold, First Capital Plus Bank Premier League winners last season will lock horns with FA Cup winners, Medeama SC at the Accra Sports Stadium in the season-opening encounter.

 

The 2014/15 Ghana premier league champions will need this game as the Obuasi based prepare for a return to CAF champions competition against Algerian side, Mo Bejaia on February, 14 after been absent  for over a decade.

 

Head coach of Ashgold, Bashiru Hayford says his target for the game (super clash) is for his charges to display good performance on the day ahead of their CAF Champions League,

 

The former Kumasi Asante Kotoko said, “we are not under any form of pressure all that we need is the performance on the day not even a win.”

 

He added, “it doesn’t mean should we play better (against Medeama SC) we won’t win but a victory will encourage and motivate both players, technical team and the supporters going into the game against Bejaia.

 

 

The two sides will represent Ghana in upcoming CAF inter-club football competitions – the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederation Cup, and the game could serve as an opportunity for both technical benches to have a close look at their teams as they head into Africa.

We Don"t Need To Win Against Medeama But... - Coach Bashiru Hayford