Asante Kotoko legend and former Black Stars defender Gariba Ibrahim has dismissed Bibiani Goldstars’ chances of progressing in the CAF Champions League, insisting that not even Manchester City’s celebrated manager Pep Guardiola could change their fortunes after the first-leg defeat.
The Ghanaian champions suffered a disappointing 2-0 loss to Algerian side JS Kabylie in their preliminary round first-leg tie at the Accra Sports Stadium last Saturday. The result leaves Goldstars with a mountain to climb in the reverse fixture in Algeria, where they must overturn the deficit to keep their continental hopes alive.
Despite the optimism within the camp, Gariba Ibrahim believes the Miners’ campaign is already over.
“Bibiani Goldstars’ African campaign is finished. Even Pep Guardiola cannot steer them to qualification. They are already down and want to go and beat JS Kabylie away—there is no magic in that. The best option left for Goldstars now is to defend well and maybe return home with a draw,” he said in an interview with Kessben FM.
Goldstars have traveled to Algeria ahead of Sunday’s decisive clash, with training scheduled at the match venue on Saturday evening.
The Miners will be led by interim boss Nana Amankwah following the dismissal of head coach Frimpong Maxwell, adding further uncertainty to their preparations for what promises to be a stern test against the Algerian giants.
