The country’s football governing body has released a statement detailing reasons why the Miners are ineligible to play in Caf Inter-club competitions next season
Ghana Football Association has cleared the air on why Ashanti Gold cannot represent the country in next season’s Caf Confederation Cup even if they defeat Hearts of Oak in the final of the FA Cup slated for Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday.
According to the GFA, Ashanti Gold failed to apply for the licence that would’ve given them the opportunity to play in Africa should they qualify from Ghana’s Premier League or FA Cup.
“The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has formally written to AshantiGold SC notifying them of their inability to compete in the 2021/22 CAF Inter Club competitions – CAF Confederation Cup. The follows a late request from AshgantiGold for an extraordinary application to enable them acquire the required licence to participate in the 2021/22 CAF Confederation Cup,” a GFA statement read.
“The GFA had further correspondence with CAF on the subject and below are the key points in their reply. The deadline for GFA to submit the club licensing decisions and documents of the clubs for the CAF IC 21/22 was 15 July 2021.
“CAF informed the Federations that the 15 July 2021 deadline date was non-negotiable and non-extendable by any means.
“CAF informed the Federations that they should submit by 15 July 2021, all club licensing decisions and documents of all theclubs standing a chance to qualify to CAF Interclub competitions based on sporting merit, regardless of the status of completion of the domestic league or national cup competition.”
“Unfortunately, we regret to inform that at this point of time, by force of the CAF Circular no club licensing decision may be accepted, consequently Ashantigold SC will not be able to take part in the CAF IC 21/22 season.
“Consequently, Accra Hearts of Oak SC, Medeama SC and Asante Kotoko SC being the three clubs in the CAF list of LICENSED CLUBS are the only eligible clubs which can play in Africa in the 2021/22 season.
“Now, with Accra Hearts of Oak SC opting to play in the CAF Champions League as the winners of the Ghana Premier League, only Medeama SC or Asante Kotoko SC may play in the CAF Confederation Cup for Ghana and should both clubs decide not to play in Africa, no club from Ghana would represent us in the competition.
“Once again, the Association wishes to remind all clubs to be mindful of the import of deadlines and the strict compliance regimes in modern football and the consequences thereof, following the failure to adhere to them,” the statement added.
This release by Ghana FA may go along way to affect the motivation of Ashanti Gold players ahead of the Cup final.