Friendly against ASKO de Kara game good exercise ahead of Africa - Samartex coach Nurudeen Amadu

Samartex tactician Nurudeen Amadu has highlighted the importance of his outfit friendly game against Togo champions ASKO de Kara ahead of the CAF Champiosn League campaign. 

The Timber giants are set for their maiden participation in the CAF elite competition after emerging as champions in the recently concluded Ghana Premier League season, dethroning Medeama.

The Ghana champions are currently in Togo as they intensify preparation for their maiden Africa campaign, which begins this weekend.

At the weekend, Samartex and ASKO de Kara engaged in a friendly game at the Stade De Kegue and settled for a pulsating goalless draw.

Despite creating scoring opportunities, both teams were unable to find the back of the net as the game ended 0-0 at the Stade De Kegue.

Samartex goalkeeper Kofi Baah emerged as the hero in the thrilling friendly game after pulling off a staggering performance to deny ASKO de Kara rom scoring.

“It was a preparatory game for both teams. It was our first time playing outside Ghana. We are taking on Victoria United in an away fixture and I believe the friendly against ASKO de Kara is a good exercise for us. We’ve seen a lot of positives and negatives so going forward we have to correct our mistakes before the commencement of the prelims”

“The mentality was to score and not concede. Unfortunately, we were not able to score but we did not concede, which is positive” he said.

Samartex are aiming to make a mark in their maiden CAF Champions League campaign. They will travel to face Victoria United in Cameroon on August 18 before the return fixture at the Accra Sports Stadium on August 25, 2024.

The winner of the tie will progress to the second preliminary round where they potentially face Moroccan giants Raja Club Athletic for a place in the group stages