Bashir Hayford Goes AWOL?

Ashanti Gold head Coach, Bashir Hayford have gone AWOL, Sportscrusader.com can confirm.

Sportscrusader.com has gathered that the former Medeama SC boss has not reported to camp since the second round of the 2015/16 Ghana Premier League (GPL) began late last month without the permission of management.

According to sources, management contacted him prior to the team’s first game of the second round against WAFA, and he promised to be around for the fixture, but he’s since failed to show up for his coaching responsibilities.

When Sportscrusader.com contacted Mr. Hayford, he denied going AWOL, saying:

“I have not gone AWOL. I am in Cape Coadt for a course. I was supposed to have this course in 2013 but I couldn’t because i took the Black Princess’ to a tournament.

“I wanted to go last year, but the management told me they wanted me to win the league so I stayed and we won it. I have nine weeks leave so I am using that for my course. I won’t be in this (coaching ) profession forever.

“It is my life and if I don’t do the course this year, then I will have to apply again and I don’t want to do that.” He said.

When Sportscrusader.com contacted management of the club, they declined to comment on his absence.

Ashanti Gold have won two games in four games in the second round of the season, equalling the total number they won in 15 games in the first round.

Bashir Hayford Goes AWOL?

Bashir Hayford To Sue Some Radio Stations

Bashir Hayford, head coach of AshantiGold SC has promised to sue some selected radio stations and presenters for reports he described as ‘malicious to destroy’ him.

The former Asante Kotoko and Medeama SC boss was accused of having an intimate relationship with one of his players ex-girlfriend, and that resulted in alleged mutiny in camp which hampered their Premier League performances.

And Coach Hayford has promised to fight back.

“Some of you and your radio stations will hear from me soon. Someone made allegations against me and you couldn’t do due diligence before taking it on air. I am heading to court and the judge will question you whether you did diligence before destroying somebody,” livid Bashir Hayford said after their game with Inter Allies at Tema.

“When we started the league, we won the first match against Medeama, we drew the second match against Kotoko we drew at home (against Berekum Chelsea), we went to Hasaacas and drew and nobody heard that I was a womanizer.

“No body heard it. It was when Dreams FC came and scored us and supporters who are miners came and made allegations they can’t substantiate.

“Nobody did due diligence to see whether what they were saying were true, but the media picked it up and it came on air. Why do you stop fire with fire? You have to stop and allow the fire to burn. Now the fire has burnt with all the speed you wanted it,” he said.

“Now you’ve seen the snail, millipede, lizard, snakes dead in the devil’s bush and some of you don’t have the guts to report the truth or even come and say what we heard was not true. So I have selected radio stations and some selected presenters to start with.

“When you go and meet the judge, tell him I heard it and the judge will question you. This time, some of you are going to pay heavily,” he stated.

Bashir Hayford To Sue Some Radio Stations

Ashgold Trainer Wants Sabbatical

Ashgold SC Head Coach, Bashiru Hayford has asked Management for a three months leave due to current unrest in the club.

The Ghana Premier defending Champions have endured a difficult start to the season recording just two wins out of the 11 games played do far.

Information reaching SportsCrusader.com indicates that, Hayford, the reigning Ghana Premier League Coach of the year is not happy with happenings in the club and is ready to step aside barely a year after guiding the miners to a first League title in 20 years.

But management of the club are yet to approve the coach’s permission of a sabbatical leave.

There have been wide spread reports that the former Asante Kotoko trainer has fallen out with some of his players who he feels are sabotaging him.

However, those reports have previously been denied by both Hayford and Ashgold’s management.

Ashgold Trainer Wants Sabbatical

Bashir Hayford Hit Back At Critics

Head Coach of Ashanti Gold Football Club, Bashir Hayford has fired back at his critics who constantly accused him of being the reason behind his side’s faltering start to their title defense.

The reigning Ghana Premier League coach of the year has seen his side’s title defense crumble right from the start of the 2015/2016 campaign with a string of unimpressive performances.

The Miners are currently 13th on the league log after 10 matches, just one point above the relegation zone.

But despite this predicament, Hayford is not shy to take on his critics asking for forgiveness on their behalf after they carried out stories which he perceives to be lies.

“I am not under pressure. I won the league last season. They said they had not won the league in 19 years and I was tasked to win and I have won so what pressure again”, the Ashgold trainer said in an interview.

“I am not worried at all. A black man never appreciates anything. If he buys a Lexus today, he will wish to get Toyota, if he gets Toyota, he will want to get a Benz”, Hayford added.

Ashgold’s next game will be against Bechem United at the Len Clay stadium this weekend.

Bashir Hayford Hit Back At Critics

We Were Punished For Our Mistakes - Bashir

Problems stricken AshantiGold succumbed to a 2-1 loss against Hearts of Oak on Sunday.

And under-fire Coach Bashiru Hayford bemoaned his players loss of concentration in the game.

The Miners have had a zigzag start to the 2015/16 Ghana Premier League (GPL), season and pressure is mounting on the former Kotoko boss.

They needed to win over Hearts of Oak to re-affirm their desire of defending their league title. AshantiGold however got stunned by the Accra giants at the Len Clay Sports Stadium.

Cosmos Dauda scored twice for Hearts before Awudu Nafiu grabbed a consolation, but that wasn’t enough to earn AshGold anything out of the game.

“My boys played their hearts out but it was unfortunate they conceded two quick goals in the second half that made the difference.

“In football if you make a mistake, you are punished and if you don’t come out well you will be punished immediately. That is exactly what happened and I think we are going to prepare very well for the next game,” Hayford said after the game.

AshantiGold’s next league game is against Dwarfs at Cape Coast Sports Stadium at the weekend.

We Were Punished For Our Mistakes - Bashir

NCC Gives Management Three-Day Ultimatum

The National Co-ordinating Committee (NCC) of Ashanti Gold has given Management of the club, three days ultimatum to resign.

Ashanti Gold, defending champions of the 2015/16 Ghana Premier League (GPL) has been shambolic in the domestic top-flight club football competition.

Not only has team been poor on the pitch, but internal wranglings have played a vital role in the current state of the club.

The NCC, supporters union of the club, have ordered for the immediate resignation of Management members of the club to save the club from further decline.

The NCC have written to AngloGold Ashanti, financiers of the club and to the Chief Executive officer, Kudjoe Fianoo to ensure they relinquish positions with immediate effect.

NCC Gives Management Three-Day Ultimatum

Bashir Hayford Given 3-days Ultimatum To Resign

The head coach of Ashanti Gold Sporting Club, Bashir Hayford has been given a three-day ultimatum to resign from his position.

The former Asante Kotoko coach has been at the centre of controversy for the past few days following the poor performance of the team in the league.

It is alleged, he is having an ‘intimate affair’ with a girlfriend of one of his players and they are not on talking terms.

Sports crusader checks revealed that Bashir Hayford believes the girl is very influential on the playing body of his team, thus, his decision to get closer to her to know his team better off the pitch.

However, sources say his explanation was too shallow to be accepted, and added that his decision to have any relationship with a players girl has brought the club into disrepute.

The National Co-ordinating Committee (NCC), has written to the Chief Executive Officer, Kudjoe Fianoo and AngloGold Ashanti, financiers of the club to ensure Bashir leaves by Friday.

Bashir Hayford Given 3-days Ultimatum To Resign

Kudjoe Fianoo Under Pressure To Leave AshGold

Pressure is mounting on Kudjoe Fianoo to relinquish his position as Chief Executive Officer of Ashanti Gold.

Sportscrusader.com, has gathered financiers of the club, AngloGold Ashanti is unhappy with the current happenings and wants Fianoo, who has been at the club for a decade now to leave.

It is alleged that AshGold sold key members of the playing body for past few seasons under the tutelage of Mr. Fianoo, but their departure never reflected in the finances of the club.

The fans of the Club are also unhappy with the state of issues and threatened to attack him after their 0-1 loss to Dreams FC last Sunday, but Fianoo left the stadium with about 20 minutes to play.

Kudjoe Fianoo Under Pressure To Leave AshGold

AshGold Players Held Hostage After Loss To Dreams FC

The players of Ashanti Gold, were held hostage after their 0-1 loss to Dreams FC on Sunday at the Len Clay Stadium, Obuasi.

AshGold, defending champions of the Ghana Premier League, have been abysmal this year and the fans are unhappy with the results, after seven league matches produced only one win for them.

The Miners suffered a second successive defeat  against Dreams FC, having already been annihilated by Liberty Professionals.

Fans of the club held the team hostage and some senior members of the playing body had to apologized to the supporters and promised to perform better in subsequent games.

It is alleged that, Chief Executive officer of the club, Kudjoe Fianoo left the stadium 20 minutes  to the end of proceedings, when rumours started making rounds the stadium that he will be attacked by the irate fans after the match.

One of the management members of the team who stayed behind to see to the end of the game, was ‘insulted’ by fans of the club, who threatened to boycott the team’s next match against New Edubiase.

AshGold Players Held Hostage After Loss To Dreams FC

Bashir Hayford Should Leave Now!

The supporters of Ashanti Gold Sporting Club are demanding for the immediate sacking of Bashir Hayford, as head coach of the club.

There’s an alleged mutiny in the camp of the Miners and that has resulted in woeful outcome of results in their 2015/16 Ghana Premier League games.

The team, suffered a second successive loss against Dreams FC at the Obuasi Len stadium, and fans are demanding the immediate sacking of the former Kotoko boss.

“We don’t want to have anything to do with Bashir Hayford again. You are [alleged to be] dating your players girls and wants them to play for you?

“He should go else we won’t come to the stadium in the game against New Edubiase.” Irate fans threatened.

The defeat on Sunday dropped AshGold further on the league table to 12 after seven matches.

Bashir Hayford Should Leave Now!

"I Won The Game Against Hasaacas" - Hayford Insists

Bashir Hayford insist his side won their Match Week Four fixture against Sekondi Hasaacas.

The defending Ghana Premier League champions rallied from a goal down to draw parity with Sekondi Hasaacas at the Essipong sports stadium.

AshGold were denied a well worked goal, before Sekondi Hasaacas were awarded controversial penalty to open the scoring from the spot.

Hayford described the penalty as a ‘stomach penalty’ and insist the report the referee will present to the Premier League Board is not the right outcome of the match.

“The result is not a fair reflection of the game. We won the match; to me, we won the match,” disappointed cum-angry Bashir Hayford said in post match press conference.

Bashir said: “Upon what I saw on the field, we won the match but the referee has the last decision. So if the referee says we didn’t win, there’s nothing you can do, but to me, we won.

“The result is not the true reflection of the game. All those who watched the game knows that the result now — which the referee is going to present, is not the true reflection of the game.

“It should have been 2-0 win for AshGold. We scored two goals. The penalty he took was stomach penalty, so to me, it was a dash. We scored quick nice goal — tactical movement and they disallowed, but God being so good, we scored another goal that’s why in i am saying that it is not a true reflection of the game.” He noted.

Bashir Hayford was heard yelling at the assistant referee for decisions he felt were unjust, but he said he was ‘soliloquying’.

"I Won The Game Against Hasaacas" - Hayford Insists

Bashir Blame Strikers For Kotoko Draw

Head coach of Ashanti Gold, Bashir Hayford has blamed his strikers for his side’s draw against Kotoko. 

The Miners were held to their second successive 0-0 draw on Wednesday at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in their outstanding Ghana Premier League fixture.

And Bashir Hayford believes his strikers were responsible for the result because they failed to convert chances they had in the game.

“I will emphatically say my strikers failed. We had done more difficult work on scoring goals at training than what transpired.” the former Kotoko boss told the press after the game.

“We created chances to win the game but it wasn’t an easy game. We dominated the first half, but I will say it [the result] is a true reflection of the game.” He noted.

Bashir Hayford also noted that the team lack understanding and the transitional period will time for the team gel and find their rhythm.

“We are blending players at and I expect that to take time so I didn’t expect us to start the season with a bang.”

The outspoken coach related the pressure of defending the league title to what happens between marriage couples.

“If your wife needs a new cloth and you don’t have money to buy if for her, there will be pressure on you.”

Ashanti Gold is currently 7th on the league log with five points and will play Sekondi Hasaacas on match day four.

Bashir Blame Strikers For Kotoko Draw

Absence Of Sold Players Won"t Affect AshGold - Bashir Hayford

Head coach of Ashanti Gold Sporting Club, Bashir Hayford is adamant the players who won the league for the club last season are still around.

The Miners ended almost decades wait to lift the Ghana Premier league title last year. A successful campaign ended with the defending selling about four key players: Lawrence Lartey, Didier Kore and Henry Traore.

Football pundits believes the presence of the trio could have made an impact their Africa Inter-club football campaign which ended abysmally and spur them to defend the league title.

But the former Kotoko technical brainer insist his team won’t miss them.

“Why should it affect my team?” Bashir Hayford quizzed in an interview with Ultimate FM.

“Lawrence Lartey didn’t play that many games with us last season, Didier Kore was mostly coming in as a sub and Henri Traore was not first choice and Yakubu (Mohammed) and (Bernard) Morrison left before the end of the season.

“So all those who helped us win the title are still here. Of course we will remember them but it won’t affect us that much,” Hayford said.

Ashanti Gold has four points out of possible six and will travel to Kumasi on Wednesday to play regional neighbours, Asante Kotoko.

Absence Of Sold Players Won"t Affect AshGold - Bashir Hayford

GPL Preview: Can Duncan Surmount Kotoko Pressure?

The Ghana Premier League clock is ticking, the Porcupine heat is gathering momentum after accruing only 1 point in a possible 6, and Duncan must water it to avoid facing the edge of Kotoko’s axe.

The outstanding premeir league fixture between Asante Kotoko and Ashanti Gold is nigh and the technical team of the record premier league champions knows a second opportunity at the Baba Yara sports stadium to sandpaper the rough roads must not be allowed to slip through the fingers.

The vernom of the Porcupine faithfuls will be unleashed should Duncan fail to wake up from his siesta.

Asante Kotoko is yet to prove its faithfuls and anti-Kotokos they were only pre-season master boys. They were outplayed and deservedly beaten by  West Africa Football Academy in Sogakope, and were lucky Medeama SC did complete a super come-back on last Sunday.

Duncan insist he is not under any pressure to start winning matches. 

He says he can only conjecture what people mean by pressure, but he knows his adrenaline understand the pressure more.

Bashir Hayford on the other hand must wake up to the reality that winning the league is as easy holding as piling your weight on the tiniest of a dry sheanut tree, but staying afloat is like climbing a kapok tree.

The Miners were bundled out of the CAF Champions League two weeks ago and the response to the set back against Berekum Chelsea was palpable.

Ashanti Gold were second fiddle to a wasteful Berekum Chelsea side who failed to the make the most of the chances they created. Bashir will be worried his has basket defence heading into this fixture.

Bashir Hayford

In recent memory, a clash between the regional neighbours has not ended in a stalemate. The two sides has met eight times in all competitions and AshGold has been dominant.

Team News:

Duncan will have the services of promising young striker, Dauda Mohammed after he was cleared by doctors for selection for tomorrow’s fixture.

Apart from Jackson Owusu who has been ruled out for about 8 months, Duncan has a full squad to choose from.

Bashir Hayford fielded almost a new set up against Berekum Chelsea with the reason that his players were tired after a long journey. He will welcome them back for this match to enhance his chances of defending his league crown.

Stats and Form Guide.

29th November 2015 SWAG Cup  – Kotoko 1 – 0 Ashantigold

20th September 2015 (Otumfour Cup) – Kotoko 1 – 3 Ashantigold

26th July 2015 (GPL) – Kotoko 1 – 0 Ashantigold

24th June 2015 (FA Cup QF) – Kotoko 2 – 0 Ashantigold

11th February 2015 (GPL) – Ashantigold  2 – 1 Kotoko

14th December 2014 (Friendly) – Kotoko  0 – 2 Ashantigold

31st August 2014(GHALCA Top 4) –

Kotoko 0 – 1 Ashantigold

3rd September 2014(GHALCA Top 4) – Ashantigold 1 – 0 Kotoko

Ashanti Gold has dominated this fixture in the last eight matches in all competition, winning five and drawing 0.

Kotoko on the other hand has won three if his last eight matches  against the Miners.

KOTOKO:

WAFA 2-0 Kotoko

Kotoko 2 – 2 Medeama SC

Kotoko ? – ? AshGold

ASHGOLD

Ashanti Gold 2 – 1 Medeama SC

M.O Bejaia 3 – 1 AshGold

AshGold 0 – 0 B. Chelsea

Kotoko ? – ? AshGold

Otherwise Engaged

There are no suspensions.

GPL Preview: Can Duncan Surmount Kotoko Pressure?

Oti Akenteng Is Afraid Of... - Bashir Hayford

Ashanti Gold head coach Bashir Hayford says Ghana Football Association Technical Director Francis Oti Akenteng is afraid of approaching the FA to salaries of coaches handling the male / female junior national teams.

Coaches of the junior national teams has not been paid since September 2014, and Bashir Hayford, who headed the technical team of the Black Princess between September 2013 and July 2015, blames Oti Akenteng for not pushing for their monies.

He believes Oti Akenteng is meek to head the junior national team coaches at the FA.

“We want somebody to fight this thing for us. Our Technical Director is not fighting for us. He himself is afraid,” the former Kotoko coach said in an interview with Starr FM.

“I think when he hears it he will call me and I will put it straight to him. He is even afraid to air these views I am putting out now.

“Apart from the senior national team, none of them is paid. You ask them. I don’t think anybody who is patriotic will forget about incentives.

“You are patriotic so whatever is supposed to come to you to live, you will forget about it. It is unrealistic.” he said.

Oti Akenteng Is Afraid Of... - Bashir Hayford

Our Results Will Improve – Hayford

AshantiGold SC Coach Bashir Hayford has said he expects results for his side to improve after enduring a few difficult times.

The Miners bowed out of the CAF Champions League at the first hurdle to Algerian outfit MO Bejaia, causing a lot of anxiety in the camp of their supporters.

Some of the fans have called for the coach to be sacked, but the experienced helmsman believes results will improve soon as he looks to defend the league title they won last season.

The Miners have made a promising start to the defence of their title picking up four points from their opening two games of the season.

They have an outstanding game against Asante Kotoko in Kumasi on Wednesday and, victory in that encounter will see them move level on points with All Stars, Hearts of Oak and Dreams FC who all have seven points at the top.

“I am not worried about what we are in at the moment,” he said after last Saturday’s 0-0 stalemate with Berekum Chelsea at the Len Clay Stadium at Obuasi.

“We will approach Wednesday’s game with Kotoko in a positive mood hoping for a good result that will cushion us up on the ladder,” he added.

Our Results Will Improve – Hayford

Bashir Hayford Satisfied With Draw

Head coach of Ashanti Gold Sporting Club Bashir Hayford is satisfied he left the Obuasi Len Clay stadium unscratched.

The Miners drew zero-all with Berekum Chelsea on Match Week Three (AshGold’s second of the season) of the Ghana Premier League on Saturday, and Bashir Hayford is satisfied with the result.

He explained that he dropped some players due to heavy legs, but that is not the reason why he is happy with a point.

“I dropped some boys which I felt they were too tired. It’s not easy at all. If you look at what they went through moving from Bejaia to Algiers to Istanbul, it was not good. But I’m not saying it’s the reason (why we drew). Some of them were tired so we needed to bring in fresh blood,’’ the former Kotoko manager said in a post match press conference.

Hayford handed Godfred Rockson, Emmanuel Nti Mensah and Frederick Quayson their debuts for the league champions and he was enthused with their performance on the afternoon.

‘’When you give them the opportunities, it helps you to know how and when to fix other players. I think they didn’t play badly. I understand so many things, so I’m not worried at all getting one point here,’’ he said.

Bashir Hayford Satisfied With Draw

Lack Of Concentration Cost Us - Fatau Dauda

Ashanti Gold Sporting Club goalkeeper, Fatau Dauda says the club failure to go past the first phase of the CAF Champions League was down to lack of concentration.

Ashanti Gold were knocked out of the continent’s flagship inter-club football competition, after a 3-1 loss to MO Bejaia in Algeria on Sunday.

And the Black Stars shot-stopper believes they played well and deserved a better result, but lack of concentration cause them dearly.

“We did very well, but just that we were unlucky. All the players gave off their best but the luck was not on our side,” the former Chippa United goalkeeper told Kumasi-based Angel FM.

“We had the game under control but along the line, we lost concentration and they took advantage of that. If you look at the first half, we equalised when they scored and could have even gone ahead.

“When we equalised the referee took certain decisions, but it wasn’t bad. The officiating was not bad. We played well and could have gotten at least a favorable result to qualify,” he noted.

Ashanti Gold booked the ticket to represent Ghana at the CAF Champions League.

Lack Of Concentration Cost Us - Fatau Dauda

AshGold Arrive In Algeria

A 30-man contingent made up of players and management of Ashanti Gold has arrived in Algeria safely for the second leg of the CAF Champions League preliminary qualifier against M. O Bejaia.

The Ghana Premier League defending champions left Accra on Thursday night via Turkish Airline to Algiers and the official social media handle of the club has confirmed the arrival of the team for the all important encounter.

“Touchdown Ashgold arrives in Algeria. #ashgoldwin #kakai #trashmob” the official Twitter handle wrote.

AshGold won the reverse fixture 1-0 at the Obuasi Len Clay stadium a fortnight ago, a win head coach Bashir Hayford was not impressed with, but remained optimistic of winning the over two legs.

M.O Bejaia on the had described the loss as a win for them and reckon they stand the chance of dropping the Ghanaians out of the continent’s flagship inter-club football competition.

Ashanti Gold are expected to train at the Stade de l’Unité Maghrébine,

Béjaïa , On Saturday, 24 hours to match.

The Confederation of Africa Football, named Sudanese officials Sabri Mohamed Fadul, Mohammed Abdallah Ibrahim (first assistant), and Elmoiz Ali Mohamed Ahmed (second assistant) for the match.

The match will be played on Sunday February 28 and kick off time is 17:00 GMT.

AshGold Arrive In Algeria

Ghanaian Clubs Don"t Prepare For Africa - Bashir Hayford

Ashanti Gold head coach, Bashir Hayford has accused Ghanaian clubs of lack of proper preparations when it comes to participation in Africa inter-club football competitions.

Bashir Hayford and his team left Ghana on Thursday night to Algeria for the second leg of the CAF champions league qualifiers against Algerian side MO Bejaia with a slim 1-0 advantage from the first leg.

But the former Asante Kotoko trainer is not impressed with the preparations  of his team, and he reckon the failure of other clubs in Africa is due to what he is experiencing.

“Let’s face facts. We[ Ghanaian clubs] don’t prepare well for Africa. When TP Mazembe wanted to annex the trophy, what did they do?

“They surveyed the whole Africa and signed the best players from there. They were even playing friendly matches with some European teams,” Hayford told Kumasi-based Ultimate FM.

Ghanaian Clubs has not made it to the money zone in Africa since 2012, and Bashir Hayford believes club owners do not invest in the competition.

“Even in Ghana when Chelsea wanted to do well, Mr. Kyeremeh (the owner of Berekum Chelsea) bought players with big names all across the country and they did well. So if you’re going to play against teams like TP Mazembe who have bought players from all over the continent, and you’re also preparing with your local players, do you think you will not do well?” Hayford quizzed.

Ashantigold will face M.O Bejaia on Sunday February 28.

Ghanaian Clubs Don"t Prepare For Africa - Bashir Hayford