President John Mahama has announced a $100,000 financial package for Asante Kotoko and Bibiani GoldStars to support their participation in the 2025/26 CAF inter-club competitions.

The President made the pledge when he hosted the two clubs on Saturday, September 21, ahead of their CAF Confederation Cup fixtures, noting the financial strain of competing on the continent.

“On behalf of the presidency, we know football is an expensive activity, especially when you’re going out to the continent. And so working with my Chief of Staff, we have a token for you. It’s in dollars, because you’ll be traveling out. And so we have $50,000 for each of the two clubs,” Mahama stated.

He explained that the support is to ease logistical pressures. “So Bibiani [GoldStars] will get $50,000, Asante Kotoko will get $50,000. At least it will help defray some of the cost of the tickets and the accommodation that you have to rent when you get into Africa. So I thank you very much, and we’re all looking up to you. God bless you. God bless Ghana.”

The President underlined the wider national significance of football, describing it as a unifying force.

“I’m happy to receive you and to say that millions of Ghanaians, especially young aspiring footballers, are going to be following your progress. Our expectations are high and you carry the expectations of all Ghanaians on your shoulders.”

He continued: “The good thing about sports, and especially football, is that it unites us. Because supporters of Kotoko are Dagatis, they are Dagombes, they are Ashantis, they are Fantis. I mean, from across the world, across the country, different ethnic groups support different clubs. Supporters of Hearts of Oak, too, are spread across the country.

"And it is the sports and the football that brings us all together. And so if we put money into sports and into football, we’re putting money into building a united country.”

President Mahama added that investment in the domestic league would have long-term benefits for the Black Stars.

“And that is not resources that have been wasted. But also, when you have a strong domestic league, it reflects in your international assignments, especially with the Black Stars, because you are the primary source for players into the Black Stars.

"So if we support the domestic league and it’s competitive, it will breed more talents and the Black Stars will benefit from those talents and be able to also represent Ghana abroad.”

The President also urged the clubs to maintain discipline and focus as they embark on their continental campaigns.

“And so I urge you to stay focused, keep your eyes on the goal. Football is about goals. You can’t say, oh, they played well, but they lost. I mean, it doesn’t make sense. It’s about goals.

"It’s about goals. Even if you don’t play well and score two or three, that’s what we want. So it’s not about the colour of the game, but the goals we are able to score.”

He concluded with a message of encouragement: “So keep focus, keep your eyes on the goal post. The ball must go in there. And stay disciplined, stay united, and believe in yourself, because the whole of Ghana is going to be behind you.”

GoldStars will host JS Kabylie on Saturday at the Accra Sports Stadium while Asante Kotoko will play Nigeria's Kwara United at the same venue.