Ghanaian clubs must not give up on Africa - Kingston

Ghana international Laryea Kingston does not think Ghanaian clubs should avoid competing in CAF inter-club competitions following a series of unsuccessful campaigns over the last three years.

After Asante Kotoko crashed out of this season’s CAF Champions League, Hearts of Oak are also on the verge of elimination after the Phobians suffered a 4-0 humiliation at the hands of Esperance in the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup in Rades on Sunday.

No Ghanaian club has managed to reach the group stage of a CAF inter-club competition aside Berekum Chelsea in 2012, leading to calls from some fans that Ghanaian clubs must stay away from the continental club championships until the nation has quality representatives to compete for laurels.

Kingston disagrees with that notion.

He told Starr Sports Ghanaian clubs need the exposure competing in Africa.

Kingston said: “I don’t think withdrawing from inter-club competition because of poor performance of our clubs is a good idea, because we need competitions like these to expose our local league, country and our players as well.

“One major problem affecting Ghana league, is the low salary given to the players, so if the player gets another opportunity outside Ghana where he will be paid well, they jump into those opportunities.”

“If you look at the clubs that perform well in the intercontinental competitions, they have experienced players and they buy good players around the continent and I believe we can do same if we also want to improve,” he added.