Tricky for Chelsea in weekend’s Africa campaign
Ghana’s Champions League hopefuls, Berekum Chelsea, face a tricky assignment in Benghazi this weekend as they contend with a tactical Libyan side so bent on booking a one-eighth place at the Ghanaians’ expense.
Ahly Benghazi carry an away goal advantage into the match which gives them the upperhand to sail through with even a scoreless draw.
The Libyans proved how dangerous they could be in the first leg at the Berekum Golden City Park last Sunday by taking a shocking second half lead before Obed Owusu levelled up for the homesters late in the game.
The result leaves Coach Tony Lokko’s Chelsea with no option but to go all out to pay the Libyans in their own coin, though that appears to be a tall mountain to climb.
Chelsea needed a timely league test from Wa All Stars last Tuesday to sharpen them for the Sahelian challenge after being held to a barren draw at home.
That result again emphasised the need for Coach Lokko to sharpen his attacking line, including Gabriel Ayala, Obed Owusu and Abdul Basit to boost their qualifying chances even in enemy territory.
As unpredictable as the game can be, the Ghanaian side which caused a stir in the same competition two seasons back, would still dream of upsetting their hosts the same way Ahly Benghazi surprised them at home.
Unlike Chelsea, Medeama and Ebusua Dwarfs have brighter chances of advancing in the CAF Confederation Cup, despite playing away.
At 19:00 hours (7pm Ghana time) tomorrow in Morocco, the pride of Tarkwa, Medeama, who are riding on a crest of a wave in their maiden continental campaign, will defend their 3-0 first leg lead against MAS Fes under floodlights.
The massive lead notwithstanding, Medeama are still not dropping their guard following the decision to carry their own food and water to Morocco to avoid any tricks from the North Africans.
With Peruvian trainer, Carlos Paulette, getting everything right since taking over Medeama in January, it will be next to impossibility for the Moroccans to overturn the 0-3 deficit against the solid Medeama side, which parades players such as Theophilus Anobaah, Godbless Asamoah, Kennedy Boateng, Kabiru Imoro, Nathaniel Asamoah, among others.
The irony of Dwarfs’ league and continental form continues to puzzle many a fan as the Cape Coasters dare Petro Atletico in Luanda on Sunday at 16:00 hours with two first half goals already in their basket.
Beninois striker, David Gomes, and the new kid on the block, Richard Gadze, strengthened their side’s resolve to qualify to the round of 16 stage, putting the more experienced Petro Athletico in a tight corner in front of their vocal home fans.
