Ghana Premier League champions, Medeama SC, have set their sights on winning the 2026/27 CAF Champions League as they prepare to represent Ghana in Africa’s premier club competition.
The Tarkwa-based club, drawn against Congolese giants TP Mazembe in the preliminary round, are expected to begin their campaign later this month.
Medeama Board Chairman, Dr Toni Aubynn, told the Graphic Sports yesterday that the club would not enter the competition as mere participants but with the ambition of winning the ultimate prize and making Ghana proud.
“In the past, we wanted to progress to the money zone, but now our aim is to win the cup itself by making Ghana proud and the people of the Western Region proud. Our target is to go for the kill,” he said.
Dr Aubynn admitted that facing TP Mazembe in the preliminary round would be a difficult assignment, describing the Congolese giants as a formidable opponent.
However, he insisted that Medeama were prepared for the challenge and would give their more experienced opponents a tough contest.
Although he acknowledged that Medeama would be the underdogs, Dr Aubynn said the club would approach the tie with confidence, drawing on the experience gained from previous appearances in the competition.
He said the club’s major concern was the outbreak of the Ebola virus, adding that he was confident the CAF Health Committee would find an amicable solution to any challenges the outbreak might pose.
In preparation for the campaign, Medeama have moved their training camp to Côte d’Ivoire, where the team has been playing friendly matches to maintain match fitness ahead of the crucial encounter.
Dr Aubynn disclosed that the club had also recruited several talented players to strengthen the squad. The new additions have joined the team’s pre-season preparations, with the board chairman expressing confidence that they would make a significant contribution to the club’s Champions League campaign.
He also revealed that the players were well motivated ahead of the tournament, stressing that their motivation went beyond financial rewards.
According to him, the club's sense of security was also an important source of motivation for the players as they prepared for the continental assignment.
On the departure of some players from the squad, Dr Aubynn explained that the technical team had taken the decision after assessing the club’s tactical requirements.
He said the technical team wanted players who suited its style of play and that some of those released needed to move elsewhere to enjoy regular playing time.
“The technical team has already evaluated the situation before offloading every player and we believe the new replacements would adequately fill the void created by the departed ones,” he said.
Dr Aubynn described Medeama as one of the top-rated clubs in Ghana and suggested that their status could make TP Mazembe wary of the challenge awaiting them.
The Medeama board chairman expressed gratitude to Gold Fields for the development of the new stadium in Tarkwa and to CAF for accrediting the Tarkwa and T&A Park to host the club’s continental matches.
He said playing their home matches in Tarkwa would save the club and its supporters the difficulties associated with travelling to other venues.
“Sometimes, it was difficult travelling around and the difficulty in carrying supporters was also a huge problem,” he said.
Dr Aubynn noted that although modern football had shown that matches could be won or lost anywhere, he was particularly pleased that Medeama would, for the first time, give their supporters in Tarkwa and surrounding communities the opportunity to watch the club play international football on home soil.
With the club determined to go beyond its previous ambitions of reaching the lucrative stages of the competition, Medeama will hope their preparations, strengthened squad and home advantage can help them overcome TP Mazembe and launch a serious challenge for the CAF Champions League crown.
