{"id":94947,"date":"2025-09-19T17:17:04","date_gmt":"2025-09-19T17:17:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/?p=94947"},"modified":"2025-09-19T17:17:04","modified_gmt":"2025-09-19T17:17:04","slug":"from-bibiani-to-africa-goldstars-ready-to-carry-ghanas-hopes-against-js-kabylie","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/?p=94947","title":{"rendered":"From Bibiani to Africa: GoldStars ready to carry Ghana\u2019s hopes against JS Kabylie"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n \t<\/i> Read Time:<\/span>5 Minute, 3 Second <\/div>\n\n <\/div>
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For the third straight season, a debutant will carry Ghana\u2019s hopes in the CAF Champions League.<\/p>\n

Medeama set the tone two years ago by ending an 11-year wait for a Ghanaian club in the group stage, but Samartex faltered last season, exiting in the second preliminary round at the hands of Morocco\u2019s Raja Casablanca.<\/p>\n

Now it\u2019s Bibiani GoldStars\u2019 turn, and their baptism on the continent could not be tougher.<\/p>\n

They face Algeria\u2019s record 14-time champions and two-time CAF Champions League winners, JS Kabylie, in the first preliminary round.<\/p>\n

GoldStars coach Frimpong Manso acknowledges their opponents\u2019 pedigree but believes his side can cause an upset.<\/p>\n

\u201cJSK, we know them to be one of the strong sides and a very confident team. And in terms of experience, I think they are ahead of us. I can talk about that because they\u2019ve been playing in the Champions League for some time, but then this is our first time,\u201d he told Joy Sports.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut that doesn\u2019t mean that we\u2019re going to respect them too much, no. Now we are also starting, so we also need to be able to get to a point where we can also be like them. So yes, this game, we know it\u2019s going to be very difficult, but then we want to make sure we also have a very good result in the first leg, especially.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlthough we know they are a very, very strong side, it\u2019s not going to scare us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2018GoldStars ready\u2019<\/h2>\n

The Ghanaian champions began pre-season in mid-July, playing more than 12 friendlies \u2013 including a GHALCA Top 4 triumph \u2013 and already have two competitive games under their belt.<\/p>\n

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I felt so fulfilled being in Bibiani today, watching Asante Kotoko lift the Super Cup on their 90th anniversary.<\/p>\n

I didn\u2019t want them to win, but they did. <\/p>\n

pic.twitter.com\/YS1y2eTH03<\/p>\n

\u2014 Adamu Benin Abdul Karim (@_benin_) August 31, 2025<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Coach Manso and Captain Yakubu Haqq insist the squad is primed for the challenge.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe had our first game in the GPL last week. We won against Bechem United and that has set the tone for us to play JSK on Saturday. I think we are set.\u201d<\/p>\n

Haqq added, \u201cI think we\u2019ve done enough, because with where we\u2019ve reached now, I can confidently say we\u2019ve done enough, and we know we can do better in the games ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n

Confidence and belief key<\/h2>\n

Stage fright and inferiority complex have undone many Ghanaian sides in Africa. For Manso, confidence and self-belief will be decisive if GoldStars are to topple the Algerian giants.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe need to have confidence in ourselves,\u201d Manso stressed, adding, \u201csometimes you may have a good team, but if they don\u2019t believe in themselves, if they don\u2019t believe in their ability, they cannot move forward. So this time around, we need to make sure they understand all these things.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have to let them know that where they are going is not for young guys. Once you\u2019ve been able to get to that place, it means you\u2019re also a very good side. So we need to make sure we also go into the game with a lot of confidence.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve worked so hard, so we need to make sure we also try to take our chances. Sometimes you may play, but if you squander the chances, it will go back to hunt.\u201d<\/p>\n

Haqq shared a similar sentiment as his head coach, stating, \u201cWe know these North Africans. Normally, when playing Ghanaian clubs, there are strategies they use, which is intimidation, sometimes on the field of play. So I think what we need to do to overcome them is to also work the extra mile.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are times you play 90 plus minutes, and I think we need to stand tall and give out our best.\u201d<\/p>\n

Home away from home<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Though technically at home, GoldStars will host the game at the Accra Sports Stadium as their favourite Dun\u2019s Park doesn\u2019t meet CAF\u2019s standards.<\/p>\n

They\u2019re urging fans to fill the stands on Saturday to create an intimidating atmosphere.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are playing Accra. It\u2019s not our home grounds. And so what we will appeal for is for all Ghanaians, those who can come to the stadium to give us the support. They did it for the Blasters against Mali.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo we are very sure they will do the same thing to us. And I\u2019m very sure if they also come in their numbers, we can also win and win well.\u201d<\/p>\n

Captain Hadd said, \u201cwe need the support of Ghanaians. They need to come and support us, because for now we are not representing Bibiani alone.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are representing the whole nation, and there is nothing we need from Ghanaians more than for them to come in their numbers to support us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Seeking a solid first-leg cushion<\/h2>\n

Manso explained that a heavy win at home doesn\u2019t guarantee them success in the tie.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou cannot say if you win [the home game] 4-0, you are okay. No, sometimes it depends on what you do in the second leg. You can score six, but you can still lose the return encounter. So it depends on what you do in the second leg. So it doesn\u2019t matter.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think we want a respectable scoreline so that it can boost our confidence going into the second leg.\u201d<\/p>\n

GoldStars opened their Ghana Premier League title defence with a 2-1 victory over Bechem United, while Kabylie are winless in three league games, scoring just once.<\/p>\n

The game will kick off at the Accra Sports Stadium at 3 pm on Saturday.<\/p>\n

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Bibiani GoldStars are eyeing a famous scalp as they face 14-time Algerian champs JS Kabylie in Saturday\u2019s CAF Champions League first preliminary round first leg at the Accra Sports Stadium. @_benin_ has been tracking their build-up and brings you this preview.#JoySports pic.twitter.com\/8GPkWXHFKI<\/p>\n

\u2014 #JoySports (@JoySportsGH) September 19, 2025<\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n

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