Medeama And Dreams FC Visit Manhyia Palace Ahead Of CAF Home Games
The Medeama Sporting Club and Dreams Football Club have paid a courtesy call on the occupant of the Golden Stool, His Majesty Otumuo Osei Tutu II at his official residence in Kumasi.
It comes ahead of their Confederation of African Football (CAF) home games this weekend at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi after being denied their initially selected venues.
The courtesy call was led by Frederick Acheampong, an Executive Council (ExCo) member of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) on Wednesday, November 29, 2023, and had the leadership of both clubs and players represented.
Speaking on their behalf, Mr Acheampong said, “They (Medeama and Dreams) have both qualified for group stages of the CAF interclub competitions and have resorted to the Baba Yara Sports Stadium where they will hold their home games this weekend.”
In his address, Ohyiawora Bian Nyonwa IV, the chief of Dompim Pepesah in Tarkwa who led the Medeama team, sought the blessings of the King for their critical games.
“We have the opportunity to use the venue in Kumasi, and we are here to seek the prayers, strength, blessings and spirit of His Majesty and the Golden Stool.”
In reaction, the King of the Asante kingdom, who is also the Life Patron of the Asante Kotoko SC, sent them his best wishes.
“It is comforting to host your international games in Kumasi and it is an honour for both Kumasi and Ghana. We will support you with our prayers… I look forward to seeing you with trophies on your next visit here.”
He also encouraged the players to play confidently against the big names and clubs they may come across in this campaign.
Among the delegation on the Medeama side were Joseph Tetteh Jutah, the acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Administrator, Nana Yaw Amankwa, the Assistant Coach and Nana Effah Asare, a Communication member.
On Dreams side were the President of the Club, Mohammed Jiji Alifoe and Head Coach Abdul Karim Zito.
Upcoming Games
League champions Medeama will play against FC Belouizdad on Friday, December 1, 2023, whereas Dreams will lock horns with Rivers United on Sunday, December 3, 2023.
The games will be held after their respective 3-0 and 2-0 losses to champions Al Ahly SC and Club Africain in the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederation Cup in their openers.
After this, the Ghanaian clubs will be required to thrive for their first win to keep hope alive. They are currently placed third on their respective league logs.
Medeama are paired in Group D with champions Al Ahly SC, Algeria’s CR Belouizdad, and Tanzania’s Young Africans while Dreams are paired in Group C against Rivers United, Club Africain, Academica do Lobito in the CAF Confederation Cup.
Venue
As Dreams were bid to host their group games at the Accra Sports Stadium, Medeama opted for the Cape Coast Stadium and soon realized their aspired venues were unavailable and not acceptable.
The National Sports Authority (NSA) last week served notice about the unavailability of the Accra Sports Stadium for sporting activities in December.
Ahead of that, CAF had rejected the Cape Coast Stadium as Medeama Sporting Club’s home venue for CAF inter-club competition after an inspection.
In a letter addressed to the Ghana Football Association (GFA), CAF said its inspection revealed the stadium does not meet the set CAF stadium minimum requirements to host CAF Senior international matches.
It added that the functionality, design, comfort, and quality of equipment in the stadiums is currently of great concern.
