Len Clay may not be ready to host continental matches

Accra, Feb 21, GNA - Mr Kudjoe Fianoo, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ashantigold Football Club, has cautioned that if stakeholders do not step in to complement the club's effort in the renovation works currently going at the Len Clay Stadium, the facility will not be ready to host this year's CAF Champions League matches.

Mr Fainoo who recently succeeded Captain Andy Sam (rtd) as the CEO of the club said the Club would be forced to abandon the renovation exercise if no help comes soon later and advised the clubs who have applied to use the facility to look elsewhere. He said the club is currently at its widths end in terms of the amount they can commit into the renovation work to meet the stringent requirements of CAF.

Mr Fianoo said the Club has in the national interest decided to take the lead to put their stadium in line with the directives of CAF Inspectors who recently visited their facility to ascertain whether it can host matches in this year's CAF Champions league matches. He said going by the recommendation given by the CAF Inspectors, the Club decided to roof the facility and expand the sitting capacity of the facility.

"But from the way things look now, it appears nobody cares and we have been left to our fate and the moment our resources dry up, we would be left with no option than to stop and continue again later when funds become available".

Ghanaian clubs participating in this year's CAF continental inter club competition were forced to shift from their traditional home grounds of Accra and Kumasi Sports Stadiums due to the renovation works currently underway at the two facilities in preparation towards the up-coming African Cup of Nations to be hosted by Ghana in 2008. Accra Hearts of Oak initially opted to honour their matches at the EL-Wak Sports Stadium in Accra whilst Kotoko opted for the Len Clay Sports Stadium at Obuasi

When it came to the fore that the CAF Inspectors would not approve the use of the EL-Wak Stadium for the CAF matches, Hearts decided to also to opt for the Len Clay Sports Stadium. Meanwhile the two other Clubs, Berekum Arsenals and King Faisal who would be participating in the Confederations Cup, CAF's other inter-club competition have decided use the Sunyani Coronation Park which is also being refurbished for the competition.