Two of Ghana’s continental representatives have been handed first round draws in the MTN/CAF Champions League preliminary round while the sole representative for the Confederation Cup have drawn a bye in the opening round.
The Confederation of African Football conducted the draws for next year’s competitions on Thursday at the continent’s soccer governing body’s headquarters in Cairo.
Kumasi Asante Kotoko have been drawn against Ports Authority of Gambia with the Porcupine Warriors playing at home first in the MTN/CAF Champions League.
Still in the Champions League, AshantiGold, who are making a return to continental club football after a decade would be away to Renacimiento FC of Equatorial Guinea for the first leg.
The Miners are hopeful of putting up a good performance in the competition says the CEO, Kudjoe Fianoo.
“Looking at the fixtures, I am sure 2007, would be a good year and hopefully we can qualify for the group stage. The year would be a good one for AshantiGold.,” Kudjoe Fianoo said.
Ghana’s Confederation Cup participants, Tema Youth drew a bye after the Confederation of African Football – CAF, handed out the draws for the competition.
Tema Youth would not play in the first round of matches as they have to wait till the round of sixteen of the competition before kicking a ball.
The premiership debutants say they are would be making use of the break to put their team in shape for the continental competition.
Wilfred Osei, the club’s Board Secretary explains that the draw brings some relief to them considering the financial implications.
“It’s a very good one, particularly when one considers the cost outlay involved if we had played the match. We need to get our acts together and get battle ready in March.
“When you look at the pairing, we would be playing a French opposition. We would be exposing the boys to the French style of play and give them a run out of continental football with a trip to Ivory Coast and Togo where we would play some friendly matches.
“This would afford the new and old players the opportunity to blend and help us know the state of our team,” he said.