[ad_1]
Ashantigold’s line-up before the Salitas game
AshantiGold squandered many scoring chances yesterday and were unable to make their best move when Burkina Faso’s Salitas FC led them to a goalless draw in the first match of the preliminary round of the CAF Confederation Cup at Len Clay Stadium, Obuasi.
Playing an improved game in the second half, the Miners released the ball every time they came close to scoring.
From Hans Kwofie to Yaw Annor, the players simply lost focus and calm to deliver.
The selected club officials who packed the stadium left heartbroken, fearing that the team will miss the second leg in Ouagadougou.
AshantiGold needs to win all three preliminary games to get into the currency zone, but that could be tough.
Wearing their traditional yellow with black trim, they started on a cautious note as their two forwards, Yaw Annor and Hans Kwofie, had little impact.
The Burkinabe attacked sparingly with most of their actions around the center circle. And his few attempts to get into the penalty area were stopped by Richard Osei Agyemang’s hard tackle.
The two teams struggled to identify their colleagues due to the similarity in the jerseys, leading to incorrect passes initially.
And when they finally got used to the situation, it was AshantiGold who made a lot of inroads but had a hard time opening the score.
Togolese importer Roland Koussivi Amouzou blew a free kick in the 16th minute at the edge of the goal, while Kwofie raised a close touch over the crossbar.
Salitas, formed in 2015 and qualified for the post of Prime Minister of Burkina Faso in 2016, came out of his shell with two quick attempts on goal.
Right for Salitas, Daniel Ouedarogo’s deceptive kick out of the “area” left goalkeeper Robert Dabou’s body as he struggled to make a first save. The resulting corner kick was wasted by the visitors.
Salitas is making its second appearance in CAF’s second-tier interclub competition, but has failed to make it to the currency zone.
Team sources say the team played without a key player (name withheld) who allegedly tested positive for COVID-19 after a test conducted upon the team’s arrival at Kotoko International Airport.
He was later sent to Ga East Hospital for treatment.
After his brief attack, Salitas fell back into their shells, apparently to thwart AshantiGold and secure a planned tied game.
By the 35th minute, AshantiGold had taken full control of the game, but lost focus every time they came close to scoring.
Salitas’ side, strong behind, barely crossed the center line.
Salitas’ lone striker, Omar Kabore, hit the vertical in the 40th minute with a nosedive header from one of his counterattacks as Dabou had no response.
AshantiGold’s best chance came in the 49th minute when David Abagna Sandan, with only goalkeeper Rabin Sanow to beat, narrowly missed the post.
And minutes later, Hans Kwofie hit the vertical in a similar fashion in a packed goal area.
Seemingly desperate for a goal, AshantiGold squandered opportunity after opportunity as the visitors hardened their defense.
Benin’s referee Issa Mouhamed had to temporarily stop the match in the 70th minute when AshantiGold defender Agyemang collapsed on the touchline and had to be transferred to a waiting ambulance and taken to the clinic.
[ad_2]
