Dreams FC General Manager Ameenu Shardow says Ghanaian football clubs must attract serious financial investment to regain their competitive edge in African club competitions.
His remarks follow the early exits of Asante Kotoko and Bibiani GoldStars, who both failed to progress beyond the preliminary rounds of the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup, leaving Ghana without a single representative in this season’s group stages.
Speaking to Joy Sports, Shardow, whose Dreams FC side reached the semifinals of the Confederation Cup two seasons ago, stressed that the lack of adequate funding and infrastructural support continues to hold local clubs back.
“We need heavy investment in infrastructure and playing body so that we can retain more of our quality players,” he said.
“So that when they go out there, they don’t have any inferiority complex. What is also very key is that we need to have a consistent level of participation in Africa.
“I am very clear in my mind that if we get a good injection of investment in our local game, we will compete very favourably in African club competitions.”
Shardow believes a long-term commitment to strengthening the domestic game, from improved facilities to better player retention, will be key if Ghanaian sides are to return to their former glory on the continent.
The CAF Inter-Club group stages begin later this month, marking the second consecutive year Ghana has no team involved.
