In a pre-match press conference at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Thursday, the representatives of both teams acknowledged the relevance of the competition and vowed to approach all games with much seriousness. Steven Pollack, head coach of Kumasi Asante Kotoko said the G8 tournament would make a positive contribution to their pre-season preparation.

He said it is a delight for his side to participate in the competition and that they are ready to face Eleven Wonders on Sunday. “This is a very important competition for us, it is the best way to get our players ready for the upcoming season, I can get to assess my players mentally and physically. We have prepared well for the tournament and we would work hard to win every game.

I have won it before and I would be very delighted to win it again.” Pollack said. Abdul Gamel Mumuni, head coach of Eleven Wonders also believes that the tournament would be the best way for his side to announce their presence in the Ghanaian topflight division following their historic promotion to the Ghana Premier League.

He said he was excited to have the chance to participate in the competition adding that it is the best pre-season tourney for the newly-promoted sides. “I was very happy when I heard that we would be part of the competition, it is the best way for us to prepare for our debut premier league season. We are ready to face Kumasi Asante Kotoko, we know they are the favourite especially in front of their supporters but we going to upset them.

“I have had a measurable level of experience in my football career and I have faced Kotoko on many occasions so there is no pressure on me. Kotoko is a big club and therefore every team want to put up their best performance against them, so I know my players would live up to the expectation on Sunday,” coach Gamel said.

The Competition which is organized by the Ghana League Club Association (GHALCA) would feature the Top four teams of the 2016/2017 Ghana premier league season, the MTN FA cup champions and the three newly promoted premier league sides. The Tournament would commence on schedule for Saturday, January 6, 2018 where Aduana Stars lock horns with Dreams FC at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.