Ashgold win Tier II Special Cup; secure ticket for Confed Cup

Obuasi-based Ashantigold (Ashgold) earned a ticket to represent Ghana in next season’s CAF Confederation Cup after beating lower tier side, Nzema Kotoko, 1-0 in the Tier 2 Special Competition final, claiming the Special Cup trophy after their exploits yesterday.

Michael Agyekum’s goal in the 38th minute was all the ‘Soccer Miners’ needed to clinch the title and the right to compete in the continent’s second tier club competition.

The premier league side were the favourites after dispatching Kumasi Asante Kotoko 3-1 in the semifinals last week but Nzema Kotoko would not easily go down against the Obuasi-based side without a fight.

Agyekum, who picked up the ball at the edge of the box, managed to meander his way through the defence of Nzema Kotoko before planting the ball into the net.

Nzema Kotoko had been compact in midfield and gave the elite club very little room to operate but occasionally Richard Osei Agyemang and Mubarak Yusif combined effectively to pose some threats to the water-tight Nzema Kotoko defence.

Ashgold returned after recess with a different plan creating so many chances but were unable to utilise them while the Division One club also failed to go past the Ashgold defence.

However, Nzema Kotoko were dealt a big blow in the 71st minute when Akesse Akesse was showed the red card by referee Daniel Laryea for a bad tackle on Agyemang.

Despite their numerical advantage, the ‘Soccer Miners were given a tough time as they were unable to break through the defence of the lower tier side until proceedings came to an end.

Source: Graphic