Ashanti Gold head coach Bashir Hayford was pleased with the overall performance of his players, although they suffered 1-0 defeat at home against Asante Kotoko on Monday, February 27.

The Miners succumbed to their second defeat of the campaign as they lost by a lone to the Porcupine Warriors at the Obuasi Len Clay stadium.

Former striker Yakubu Mohammed came back haunt the Miners as his goal settled the feisty clash in Kotoko’s favour.

But the experienced gaffer says his side's performance excites him.

"I'm even more elated. I'm very happy with a young team like this playing this way because I have confidence that after about five or six matches, it will be very for you to beat," he told reporters.

"Only three players of the old team last season featured in this encounter. If you could recall I brought the final list of players registered for the season just two weeks ago before the start of the league.

"So we prepared for only two weeks for the season. I'm really happy that a new team is playing like this."