Sports News of Thursday, 23 June 2016

Source: footballghana.com

Playing in Africa is not a good venture - Cudjoe Fianoo

Kudjoe Fianoo, GHALCA Chairman Kudjoe Fianoo, GHALCA Chairman

Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA) chairman, Kudjoe Fianoo has stated that it is not worth participating in the CAF inter-club competitions due to the new financial regulations adopted by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

The new financial regulations of CAF states that participating teams in both the Champions League and the Confederation Cup are to cater for their own bills being it travelling, feeding, accommodation and other important itineraries.

This Fianoo, who doubles as CEO of Ashantigold, believes it won’t help clubs considering the current economic situation.

“Let’s just take one match, home and away. These days, you are supposed to go and pay for your own bills when you travel outside. You have to pay for your feeding and accommodation, and I can tell you need an average of $60,000 for the match,” Fianoo told Kumasi-based Ultimate FM.

“If you are to play three matches in the preliminary stages, thus home and away, then we are talking about $300,000 before getting into the group stage.”

“It is not worth it if you look at the challenges ahead. This thing has created a lot of problems for so many clubs in this country. King Faisal after participating in Africa after a couple of times is no more in the reckoning when it comes to the forces in Ghana Football. Berekum Arsenal, Dwarfs and learning from these things most of the clubs decide when they even qualify, they opt not to play in the competition. It is a national issue we need to look at.”