Chairman of the Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA), Kudjoe Fianoo says participating in the African inter-club competitions is not a worthwhile venture especially now due to the new financial regulations adopted by the football governing body, CAF.
According to CAF’s new regulations, participating clubs in the African competitions are expected to foot their own bills being it travelling, feeding, accommodation and other important itineraries.
These, the GHALCA boss who is also the CEO of Ghanaian champions AshantiGold thinks, will rid most clubs of their finances and send down the drain, especially clubs who don’t have the financial muscle to simultaneously play in the league and inter-club competitions.
This comes against the backdrop of series of reports which emanated that, Ghana’s sole representative Medeama contemplated on pulling out of the Confederation Cup tournament before their game against TP Mazembe.
“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.”
“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,” Fianoo told Kumasi-based Ultimate FM.
Meadeama SC is the only club from Ghana playing in the African competition. They lost 3-1 to TP Mazembe in their first match of the CAF Confederation Cup group stage. plays against. They host Algeria’s MO Bejaia on the 29th of June in their next game.
