End Of Road For Ashgold

Ashantigold FC yesterday failed to gliter as they drew goaless in the second leg of their CAF MTN champions league with JSK Kabylie of Algeria played at the Len Clay Stadium in Obuasi. On the strength of that scoreless line the Obuasi-based club has been kicked out of the competition having lost 0-3 in the first leg a forthnight ago in Algiers. It was an uphill task, though bookmakers had predicted a 4-0 win for the home team to cancel the deficit. But the large army of supporters who thronged the stadium to offer their support to their idol club after the 90 minutes went home with sullen faces. From the blast of the Gabonese referee, Louis Rembngouet’s whistle, both sides treaded caustiously in the game with Ashgold slightly up but the more experienced visitors managed to thwart every move the homesters made at goal. Coach Duncan made his first substitution with half-fit Alex Asamoah coming on for Umar Gariba in the 14th minute. Try as Ashgold did to redeem their image by at least winning the game, their efforts came to nothing as the North Africans made sure they kept danger at bay. With a minute to the end of the first half, referee Rembngouet had to flash his red card on Nadil Henani for indiscipline as the player snatched the flag from assistant referee Ansenie Libama. Ashgold came from recess more refreshed and aroused spectators’ hope for goals but the North Africans, who have been a thorn in the flesh of the Ghanaian clubs, did not falter. In the 75th minute, hopes to redeem at least a goal doubled when Asamoah was brought down in the penalty box. But keeper Fauodi Chanochi kicked the ball into play drawing long faces among the spectators from the stands. The final hope for Ashgold went into thin air when again in the 85th minute, Nat Quaye dribbled three men in the visitors’ vital area but lost breadth and smashed the ball past the goalkeeper.