Afriyie impressed with AshGold vs. Bejaia attendance

The Ghana FA chief has lauded the leadership of the Miners for drawing a large crowd during the Caf Champions League fixture on Sunday

The vice president of Ghana Football Association, George Afriyie, is elated by the huge attendance at the Obuasi Len Clay Stadium when Ashanti Gold hosted Algerian side MO Bejaia in the 2016 Caf Champions League preliminary round on Sunday.

Defender Tijani Joshua scored the solitary goal in the 61st minute to hand the home side a slim advantage ahead of the return leg in a fortnight.

However, many people have been commending the response of local supporters who filled the 20,000 seater stadium to cheer the Ghanaian champions.

“I think that we can put up a massive organisation and if you look at the attendance at the [Len Clay] Stadium, it means that there’s hope for our local football,” Afriyie told JoyFM.

“Contrary to what people are saying, I can assure you that local football is not dead. It needs to be done by the clubs.

“In this regard, I’ve already commended the Ashgold leadership. Everything you saw on Sunday was put together by the Ashgold team. I here in Dawu [where Hearts of Oak played Dreams FC on Sunday], the same thing happened with the crowd.

“It’s about the leadership. It’s about the people who are leading the frontlines. They need to work.”

According to reports, the venue’s hitherto highest attendance was in 1997 when the Miners hosted Moroccan side Raja Casablanca in the first leg final of the Caf Champions League.