President John Mahama has urged Asante Kotoko and Bibiani GoldStars to restore Ghana’s continental football glory, as both clubs prepare for challenging CAF inter-club fixtures this weekend.
Reflecting on Ghana’s past achievements, the President recalled the golden era when clubs like Kotoko and Hearts of Oak thrilled the continent with blockbuster clashes.
“As a young man growing up in the 60s and 70s, I remember the titanic matches that used to take place on the African continent. Sometimes Kotoko goes somewhere, I think DRC or something, then you hear they’re playing Englebert.
“Then they go somewhere, they are playing some other big, big teams across the continent in Egypt, all over. All of us were proud of Kotoko, Hearts [of Oak] and our teams that went to Africa.”
However, he noted that Ghanaian club football has experienced a drought of memorable continental campaigns in recent years.
“Unfortunately, that era seems to have passed and we are facing a drought in the football competition on the African continent. And so we want to recapture the good old days because sports not only provides opportunities for young people. It also promotes a country’s national pride.”
President Mahama also emphasized the pride Ghanaian clubs once stirred abroad. L
“There are several times I have gone to DRC or Egypt, and somebody sees me and says, oh, that’s the president from Ghana, or that’s the minister from Ghana. And the first thing they’ll say is, Asante Kotoko or Hearts of Oak or Abedi Pele, you know. And it’s usual across board. And so it gives you a sense of pride when people recognise that Ghana has been a strong sporting nation.”
Asante Kotoko and Bibiani GoldStars have distinct paths into this season’s CAF competitions.
GoldStars, who secured their maiden Premier League title in 2024–25, are set to make their Champions League debut. They lost to their Algerian counterparts JS Kabylie at the Accra Sports Stadium in the first leg of their preliminary round fixture.
The return leg is scheduled in Algeria.
Kotoko, meanwhile, return to African club competition via the CAF Confederation Cup after winning the FA Cup. They will face Nigeria’s Kwara United in the preliminary round, with the home leg in Accra followed by the away match in Abuja.
Recognising the magnitude of these fixtures, Mahama encouraged both clubs to make a statement. “And so as you go into Africa, I want to encourage you to do us proud. We will stand by you, we will help you.”
The President supported the two clubs with $50,000 each.
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