Ghana to introduce new soccer competition same to Carling Cup in England

The Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA) will introduce yet another competition next season towards the development of the game in the country.

Alhaji Ali Raji, Chairman of GHALCA told GNA Sports in an exclusive interview on Thursday that the welfare body of the League Clubs will introduce the GHALCA Championship Cup competition beginning next season.

“Beginning next season, our calendar will see the addition of another competition known as the Championship Cup, which is equivalent to the Carling Cup in England.”

Alhaji Raji said the competition which will feature 62 Clubs comprising all 48 Division One League Clubs plus the 16 in the elite division, will run concurrently with both the Premier League and the FA Cup competitions.

The GHALCA Chairman said the introduction of the competition, which begins with the 48 Clubs in the second tier playing among each other in a knockout format is aimed at equipping Ghanaian footballers with enough competition to prepare them for future opportunities in other Leagues in Europe.

The 24-teams after the first phase will join the 16 Clubs in the Premier League to engage in yet another knockout stage aimed at looking for 20 winners to be grouped into two zones.

Alhaji Raji said the two best runners-up will join the pool of ten clubs each for the two zones to take the number to 12 for the zonal competition, which will see matches being played on home and away basis.

The winners of each zone will then advance to the final, which will be a one-off match at a yet to be determined venue.

The competition becomes GHALCA’s third after the annual Top Four and the President’s Cup.

Source: GNA