They've not won in their last three matches but somehow, AshGold are still top of the league.

Their coach Bashiru Hayford supervised the latest loss on Sunday against regional rivals Kotoko, a 1-0 downer at the Baba Yara Stadium.

Frank Sarfo Gyamfi's goal consigned the Obuasi side to seventh defeat this season but it says a lot about their strong start that AshGold are still on 41 points and not usurped. 
  
“The day wasn’t ours. Kotoko have won and we say congratulations to them. Anybody who watched the match knows how good we played. I think it is hard luck," Hayford told the press post-game.

The pressure is mounting although AshGold will count themselves lucky that Berekum Chelsea, in second, also managed to lose to Bechem United on Friday.

"By all means pressure will be on you and we are trying to calm the pressure."

“It is not over until it’s over. We are playing home on our next match and then we go away elsewhere. Football doesn’t speak the truth sometimes you play well but you lose.”

But Hayford, known to be mentally strong, is keeping faith in his side who just two months ago looked unassailable with a then seven-point lead. How badly is their recent poor form going to scupper their hope a first title in 20 years?

"I don’t think the defeat [to Kotoko] will affect our title chances. We are still atop and the other teams are still chasing us. Remember, the league can also be won by the head-to-head rule so we will just keep our focus and work our way to the end.”

Next up for AshGold is a home game against Liberty on Sunday, Bechem (away), Medeama (home), Berekum Chelsea (away), WAFA (home), and Olympics (away).

CLICK TO READ: 7 things we learned from matchday 24

CLICK TO READ: Matchday 24 game-by-game review

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