Gold Stars, Kotoko face stern continental tests in Accra
Ghanaian football rolls out its continental dice this weekend with exciting fixtures at the Accra Sports Stadium as Bibiani Gold Stars make their CAF Champions League debut against Algeria’s JS Kabylie (JSK) this afternoon, before old warhorses Asante Kotoko square up against Nigeria’s Kwara United in the Confederation Cup tomorrow.
For Gold Stars, it is a daunting task against Algerian aristocrats JSK, two-time winners of the competition and a side steeped in history.
The Miners step out this afternoon carrying the hopes and aspirations of Ghanaians as they attempt to write the opening chapter of a fairytale journey, and also emulate the legacy of Ghana’s most decorated clubs, Hearts of Oak and Kotoko.
JSK are no strangers to Ghana, having crossed swords with both Kotoko and Hearts in years gone by.
The Algerians arrive in Accra with pedigree, history, and scars left on Ghanaian soil. Former Champions League winners in 1981 and 1990, they have squared off against Kotoko three times, winning once and losing twice.
They famously dumped Hearts out of the 1995 CAF Cup after overturning a first-leg defeat in Accra.
That history underscores the challenge before Ghana’s champion club, as North African opposition has long proved problematic for Ghanaian clubs, a record will be banking on, even though they enter today’s fixture far from invincible, winless in their opening three matches in Algeria’s top-flight league.
Here, Coach Stephen Frimpong Manso and his men may smell opportunity. Buoyed by last weekend’s 2-1 Ghana Premier League’s opening week win over Bechem United, Gold Stars will be desperate to grab a first-leg advantage despite playing in Accra, far from their Dun’s Park fortress in Bibiani.
The Gold Stars gaffer knows the balancing act would not be easy. “Combining the league with Africa normally comes with challenges. The schedule is tough, moving from league games straight into Africa, but we are ready,” he lamented.
Gold Stars have strengthened their squad with new acquisitions, including striker Sampson Eduku, winger Emmanuel Agyei, Emmanuel Fosu Kyei, Emmanuel Agyenim Boateng, Barimah Baah, Edward Agyemang, Emmanuel Kontor, and Emmanuel Ankrah.
The newcomers are expected to play key roles as they link up with trusted veterans like Vincent Atinga, Samuel Atta Kumi, and goalkeeper Emmanuel Kobi to get their campaign off with a winning start for a crucial first-leg advantage on home soil.
JSK’s German tactician, Josef Zinnbauer, is unlikely to play cautiously despite his side’s historical edge over Ghanaian sides.
Expect the Algerian aristocrats to throw men forward, with skipper Ryad Boudebouz pulling the strings alongside Billal Messaoudi, Babacar Sarr, and Oussama Benattia to frustrate the hosts and earn a vital away result.
Kotoko seek redemption
Tomorrow, the spotlight shifts to Kotoko as they kick off their Confederation Cup campaign against Kwara United. If today’s encounter is about breaking new ground for Gold Stars in unchartered territory, the Porcupine Warriors are out to restore lost pride.
Veterans of continental football as two-time African champions but underachievers in recent years, Kotoko are still searching to reassert themselves on the continent and know that tomorrow’s fixture carries added spice, as the age-old Ghana vs Nigeria football rivalry will stoke passions and pile pressure in equal measure.
Although their favourite Baba Yara Stadium failed CAF’s compliance checks, the Porcupine Warriors are very comfortable playing before their passionate fans in Accra and will be determined to turn misfortune into opportunity.
Coach Abdul-Karim Zito’s side head into the clash with renewed confidence after grinding out a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Berekum Chelsea last weekend at the Golden City Park.
Match-winner, Albert Amoah, will once again lead the charge in attack, supported by Samba O’Neil, Emmanuel Antwi, Kwame Opoku, Peter Amidu Acquah and Isaac Mintah.
For Kotoko, finalists in the 2004 Confederation Cup, this campaign carries the weight of history.
The gaffer will demand clinical finishing up front and ironclad discipline at the back, as the Porcupine Warriors faithful call for nothing less than a commanding first-leg result to ease the pressure before the return tie.
