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| Ashgold hint at Herbert Mensah takeover |
8/27/2008 |
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AngloGold Ahsanti has hinted its Premier League club Ashgold is on the verge of a takeover to ensure a proper running of the club.
Astute businessman Herbert Mensah, who is famed for improving clubs in Ghana, is tipped to takeover the club.
Ashgold were continental giants in the 1990s but have fallen down in the pecking order of top clubs in Ghana since 2000.
AngloGold Ashanti says it is in talks over the future of Ashgold to ensure the club regains its past glory.
"AngloGold Ashanti is holding discussions on the future direction of the club and will in due course make a definite announcement on the matter," Christian RampaÂLuhembwe, vice-president AngloGold Ashanti in West Africa, said.
"We think the club should not be just an attachment of its mining operations but should be a professionally managed independent football club with a commitment to excellence."
The talk of the takeover has generated anxiety among some fans of the club in Obuasi who claim the club would be relocated to Accra.
But AngloGold Ashanti say the club in event of a takeover, the traditional interest of Obuasi will be paramount.
"We can state categorically that the club will not be relocated from its base in Obuasi," RampaÂLuhembwe said.
"The traditional relevance and contribution of AshGold Football Club will be protected and its name will not change.
"The ongoing review of the ownership structure will be focused on ensuring that AshGold Football Club will be taken into a period of modern soccer practice and management."
Mensah is credited for bringing modern football business practice in Ghana football after being in chagre of giants Kotoko in the 2000s.
He took over the then struggling side and the swift improvement of its fortunes madei t the envy of clubs in Ghana.
Ashogld, who reached the final of the 1997 Africa Champions League, have struggled to make an impact after winning several titles in Ghana.
Mensah is expected to catapult the club to great heights to compete with Kotoko, Hearts, Liberty Professionals and Hearts of Lions for supremacy.
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