Former Black Stars attacker, Augustine Arhinful, has pleaded with the Ghana League Clubs Association(GHALCA) not to heed to pressure of increasing the number of teams in the annual Top Four competition.

The ex–Ashgold centre-forward dared GHALCA to maintain the integrity of the traditional pre-season tournament, irrespective of who is missing from the Top Four.

The former Borussia Dortmund striker cited sponsorship woes as militating against the annual event.

Kumasi Asante Kotoko and Medeama both finished outside the top four at the end of the 2014/15 season but look set to feature in the pending pre-season trophy.
The ex-Black Stars attacker however believes increasing the number beyond the traditional four clubs, has the tendency of denting the reputation of the competition.

He said “We cannot just say we are going to play ‘Top 6’ after the season is over. It is something we have to all agree and we will have to incorporate it into the calendar before the season starts. It will have to be agreed at the start of the league.

“It is a Top Four and must remain like that. We cannot say because any club finished outside the top four, we have to bring them into the competition.
“Even with the Top Four, you can see the sponsorship. The South Africans have MTN top 8 but we have just Top Four or GHALCA Top Four. Who is the headline sponsor?”.