Ashanti Gold coach, Bashir Hayford has hailed his players despite falling to Kotoko at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Sunday in the SIC Nyametei SWAG Cup.

The Miners failed to replicate their cup winning streak as they lost the SWAG Cup to Porcupine Warriors by a lone goal thanks to Eric Donkor’s late free kick.

Both sides used the game as a dress rehearsal ahead of the upcoming league season as the two sides took the opportunity to showcase their new recruits, but it was the Kumasi lads who reigned supreme over their regional rivals.

But the head coach of the 2014/15 Ghana Premier League winners, Bashiru Hayford has hailed his side’s performance despite losing the cup to Asante Kotoko.

“I was impressed with my boys, especially with the new players. It was a match well fought and I do appreciate the way they played. This one was a match we didn’t want to forget. Because of Kwabena Yeboah and Otumfuo we didn’t want to say no and I like the way my boys played,” Bashir Hayford said.

“I didn’t miss any player because if they are not there someone is there to fill in the vacuum created, and my positive from the game is to prepare well for Africa,” Hayford said after the game.