Nyantakyi urges government to support clubs

Ghana Football Association president Kwesi Nyantakyi has called on the government to financially assist the country’s representatives in continental club competitions.

Over the years, local clubs have had to bear the brunt of fines and suspensions for withdrawing from the Caf Champions League as well as the Caf Confederations Cup on grounds of financial straits.

“We have been assisting our clubs in our own small way,” Nyantakyi told reporters.

“It has always been a small financial support, our widow’s mite, and we are not going to relent on that. We will continue to support our clubs.

“Apart from all the things that we do for them, we think that participating in Africa is a very expensive venture. Any club that goes to Africa spends.”

While league champions Ashanti Gold are Ghana’s representatives for the 2016 Champions League, taking on Algerian side MO Bejaia in the preliminary round in February, Fa Cup winners Medeama are awaiting the victors of the Al-Ittihad Tripoli-AS SONIDEP clash in the preliminary round for a date in the first round, having drawn a bye.

Nyantakyi added: “If you get to the money zone, you will spend not less than $700,000 to $800, 000 so it is a very expensive venture and the government must help the clubs.”

In 2012, Nania FC were handed a ban of three years plus a $1,500 fine for withdrawing from the Confederations Cup.