GFA awaits CAF decision

Accra, Sept. 9, GNA - The Ghana Football Association (GFA) is yet to receive a response from the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) on their request for an extension of the deadline for the submission of the champion clubs for next years' continental competitions.

The GFA, following the late start of the Premier League, petitioned CAF to extend the deadline for the submission of the champions for next years' continental competition from November 30 to December 20.

Mr Kofi Nsiah, General Secretary of the GFA told delegates at the Emergency Congress of the GFA held on Tuesday, September 28, that CAF is scheduled to meet on October 16, to consider the request of the GFA.

According to Mr Nsiah, the GFA will take a definite decision on the format of the on-going Premier League based on the response from CAF. The issue came up at the Congress following a memo submitted by the Professional League Board (PLB) through the GFA to the Congress for a resolution calling for a single play off match to determine the first four winners of this year's League.

Champions of the Zonal League were originally scheduled to be determined by a two-leg play-off between first positions of each Zone as well as the second positions whilst the third team from the bottom to be relegated was to be played between the seventh position of each zone. Bottom clubs from each zone will automatically be relegated.

The PLB in a bid to complete the league in due time decided to shelve the idea of the two leg play-offs and rather proposed a single play-off.

The Congress, which is the highest legislative body of the FA could not discuss the memo of the PLB as they have to wait for CAF's reply. Should CAF agree to the proposals of the FA, the PLB will adopt the one leg play off to determine the first four of the Zonal league, whilst a rejection will mean the PLB has to further adjust its programme. The GFA last year made a similar appeal to CAF due to the late start of the League following series of court actions imposed on it by some clubs.

Other issues to be discussed at the CAF Executive Meeting include further financial package to clubs participating in the novelty Confederations Cup competitions.

Participating clubs in the competition have already received a "meagre" 62,000 dollars but according to information reaching the GNA Sports, CAF has indicated its willingness to give the clubs additional funds for the competition.