Accra, March 15, GNA - Obuasi Ashantigold will be without their key midfielder Sampson Cudjoe for this weekend's CAF Confederation Cup clash against Tunisian side Etoile du Sahel in Sousse.

The Miners will play as guests of the former winners in the round of 16 first leg clash on Sunday, March 20 in the Mediterranean city of Sousse.

Head coach Zdravko Logarusic told GNA Sports on Tuesday that the defensive midfielder is suspended for the trip after picking cards in both legs of the preliminary encounter against their Ivorian opponent, Sewe San Pedro.

The Croat regretted the absence of Cudjoe, but insisted he was counting on a dependable replacement to make up for the void. "Cudjoe is a key player but I believe the substitute will be up to the task."

Defender Ibrahim Aziz is also unavailable for the clash due to injury. Coach Logarusic envisages a tough test against the Tunisians, who boast of a rich record in the continental club championship. "Etoile is a strong team and they have the history behind them. At Ashgold, we take each game as it comes and I believe in the abilities of my players."

Ashantigold, the only surviving Ghanaian participant in the African Club championship host the reverse fixture in a fortnight, with the winners advancing to the round of eight. The Miners were losing finalists in the 1997 edition of CAF Champions League losing to Raja Casablanca of Morocco.