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Ahly coach’s concern for Ghana football!
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ONE of the continent’s most successful coaches – South Africa’s Pitso Mosimane, is dumbfounded about the ‘free fall’ of Ghana’s two biggest clubs – Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak, on the continental front.
Speaking to Joy FM in Accra on Monday, the Al Ahly of Egypt ‘sweat merchant’ wondered about the position of the two clubs in Africa, regretting they could not make it into the group stages of the CAF Inter-club competitions latterly.
Hearts and Kotoko were one of the giants of continental football. No more. So appalling has been their output to the extent that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) no longer considers them worthy, having slashed Ghana’s three-club representation in the CAF competition to two (one for Champions League and the other Confederation Cup).
In the last decade or so, only one Ghanaian club (Berekum Chelsea. 2012) ever made into the group stage of the CAF Champions League. Kotoko also managed a place in the group stages of the Confederations Cup in the 2018/19 season. Certainly, this cannot be anything to be proud about – and the highly-rated Mosimane is bowled-over about the level of slump.
“Where are the Porcupine Warriors (Kotoko)? They used to terrorise everybody. Where is Phobia (Hearts)? Where are those teams? When these two teams play in Ghana, the streets are closed. Where are those teams in the Champions League? Where are the top talents,” the celebrated coach, who won the 2016 CAF Champions League with Mamelodi Sundowns and clinched same trophy twice (2020 and 2021) with Al Ahly, quizzed.
A nation’s football strength and solidity is evidenced by its performance at the international level with regard to club level. Truth is that at present, our club football is in comatose!
That for 16 years, no Ghanaian club have won any continental fleece should be of huge concern to all.
Hearts clinched the CAF Champions League in 2000 – 22 years ago, topping up with the CAF Confederation Cup four years later. Great achievement, but that is all there is to it. For Asante Kotoko, their last continental feat was in 1983 when they annexed the African Clubs Championship trophy (now CAF Champions League); that feat happening 13 years after their maiden conquest.
Ever since, both Hearts and Kotoko have failed to re-enact their past glory after a panoply of second-rate attempts.
As far back as December 14, 1997, Obuasi Goldfields (now AshantiGold SC) dazzled their way to the CAF Champions League finale, losing narrowly to Morocco’s Raja Casablanca 5–4 on penalties at the Stade Mohamed V in Casablanca – the two legs failing to produce a winner (1-1).
Three years later came the Hearts’ accomplishment.
The slump may have hit its apogee last year and showcased why the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and Ghanaian clubs must take a back seat for a while, do a very deep introspection and self-absorption before endeavouring to embark on another ‘useless’ adventure.
As you may have been aware, Hearts were flushed out of their African campaign in the most disgraceful manner.
After taking a 2-0 lead in the play-off stage of the CAF Confederation Cup, Hearts dashed for the return leg encounter full of beans, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, against Algeria’s JS Saoura – only to be hammered 4-0 after a rather shambolic performance to bow out 4-2 on aggregate.
A month earlier or so, Hearts were whitewashed 6-1 in the preliminary stage of the Champions League by WAC of Morocco, after winning the opening fixture in Accra 1-0.
Conceding 10 goals in two away games against North African oppositions was as embarrassing as ego-battering.
For a side that once dominated Africa and went into the campaign as Ghanaian champions, last year’s exit was pure degradation.
It must be reiterated that the performance of our clubs in Africa has for some time now been nothing to write home about. It is, perhaps, the cumulative effect of low investment and poor player quality.
According to the South African coach, the way forward is to ensure that the necessary vibe is created among fans, whilst the private sector also endeavour to invest into the game (league), develop the home-grown players and bring in good players from other countries.
True, most of our premier clubs, today, have no corporate sponsorship and with pitiable attendance at games, clubs are compelled to sell their marquee players to their foreign counterparts for survival.
So, how do such clubs hope to compete on the same platform with their counterparts on the continental stage? Absolutely possible!
Our clubs ought to accept the fact that the game has changed completely. It is now more capital-intensive than before. The planning and organisation of the game, too, is more demanding than used to be the case. Interestingly, we expect to reap a different result after doing same thing over time. It does not work like that.
Certainly, our local game is in some sort of crisis and the GFA and its stakeholders may have to meet and find an productive panacea to reviving its dwindling fortunes.
By John Vigah
Accra Hearts of Oak and Dreams FC will headline Matchday 5 of the Ghana Premier League when the two sides meet at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium tomorrow, with both clubs seeking a result that could shape their early season campaign.
The encounter comes at a crucial moment for the two sides with the Phobians looking to recover from their first defeat of the campaign and Dreams still searching for their first victory after four matches.
The Rainbow lads started the season strongly but were beaten 1-0 by Karela United last weekend, while Dreams suffered a slim 1-0 defeat to Bechem United.
Hearts had earlier recorded impressive victories over Berekum Chelsea and Bibiani Gold Stars before drawing goalless with Bechem United, leaving the club with seven points from their opening four matches.
Their defeat at Karela United, however, means they will be under pressure to quickly return to winning ways against a Dreams side determined to make home advantage count.
Dreams, meanwhile, have endured a difficult beginning to the campaign and will see tomorrow’s fixture as an opportunity to change their fortunes.
The ‘Still Believe’ side have collected points from only their opening draws and are yet to register a victory, making the meeting with one of the country’s traditional giants an important test of their character.
Elsewhere, Vision FC will welcome Bibiani Gold Stars to the Nii Adjei Kraku II Sports Complex today, with both teams looking to strengthen their positions.
Vision have shown encouraging form in the early stages, while Gold Stars will be seeking a response after suffering a 2-0 home defeat to newcomers Port City FC.
At the Debibi Presby Park, newly promoted Debibi United will face defending champions Medeama SC tomorrow.
Medeama finally opened their account with a convincing 4-1 victory over Basake Holy Stars and will be hoping that the result marks the beginning of a stronger title defence.
Port City FC will continue their impressive debut campaign when they host Bechem United at the Daasebere Boamah Darko II Park.
Basake Holy Stars will attempt to recover from their heavy defeat to Medeama when they host Berekum Chelsea at the Ampain AAK II Sports Arena.
Aduana FC will welcome Swedru All Blacks to the Nana Agyemang Badu I Park after producing one of the weekend’s most notable results last Sunday.
At the Kpando Stadium, Heart of Lions will host FC AshantiGold ’04 in another meeting between sides coming off victories.
FC Samartex 1996 will meanwhile welcome Young Apostles FC to the Nsenkyire Sports Arena, with the home side seeking to maintain their unbeaten start to the campaign.
By Enoch Ntiamoah Siaw
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Tuesday, September 29, 2026 would go into the annals of Ghana football as one of the darkest days for the Black Stars.
In an AFCON 2027 qualifier against The Gambia, the Black Stars did not only break the hearts of the fans, but conceded a defeat that left followers with sleepless nights.
Coming from a Matchday 1 defeat to the Elephants of La Cote d’Ivoire in Bouake, the outcome of the second game against The Gambia was one that was non-negotiable.
It had the ability to spark a revival to contend for one of the slots for the next AFCON showpiece.
The Gambia is a formidable side but definitely, not one to have frustrated Ghanaians to watch in pain and awe the Black Stars lose a game from a winning position.
That is a possibility in the game of football but when the stakes are high in such cases, it becomes unacceptable to the fans.
And grievously has Carlos Queiroz answered the massive call for his resignation.
At his post-match press conference, he made it clear that bowing out was the easiest decision but insisted that would not solve the myriad problems facing the Black Stars.
For the coach to be fired two days after that declaration raises a lot of concerns as he seem to be aware of existing problems the FA may even not know.
Unfortunately, coaches over the years have always been sacrificial lambs in situations of this nature but when he talks about particular problems affecting the team, his sack leaves much to be desired.
That aside, it is important to also take another look at the country’s pool of players, both local and foreign based.
Some of us have been advocates for forming the Black Stars around the ever-present local players who may lack the skill, finesse and flamboyance believed to give the foreign based players the edge over their local counterparts.
The locals, however, compensate that with their commitment and dedication.
Sadly, it appears this consistent call have fallen on deaf ears and no one wants to give any attention to that.
If the fear is that results would be poor, then that would be no excuse again following outcomes of the Stars in their last two games.
From what was witnessed in Bouake and Accra, one can confidently boast that there isn’t much difference between the foreign based players and the locals.
If there is any, it would probably be the treatment given to the two sets of players.
The call on the FA now is to give major consideration to the local players. Any coach that sees no good in the local players must have no business handling the national team.
That does not also shut the door on the ‘foreigners’. We witnessed how the early 90s teams were beautifully blended to have a formidable team.
It is time the FA goes back to the basics. With the locals, there can be more camps, leading to improved cohesion. Any foreign based player invited must settle into the team quickly and make a difference. That is the only way to rescue the Black Stars from its free fall.
By Andrew Nortey
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