Strand sure of Medeama win
The head coach of Medeama Sporting Club, Tom Christian Strand, says he is confident his team will be the ultimate winners of their second-leg game against Sudanese side Al Ahly Shendi, which will be held at the Essipon Stadium on Wednesday.
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According to him, a win in Wednesday’s encounter will enable them proceed to the next stage of the CAF Confederation Cup as they aim to reach the money zone this year.
Medeama earned a vital goalless draw against Al-Ahly Shendi in the first tie which was staged a fortnight ago at the Shandi Sports Stadium in Sudan and the expatriate coach believes that the second tie will be a bonus for his team.
In a telephone conversation with the Graphic Sports yesterday, Strand said he was aware that Medeama were the only Ghanaian representative in Africa after Ashantigold were kicked out of the CAF Champions League, therefore they would leave no stone unturned to come tops at the Essipon Stadium.
“It will be a tricky game but, of course, we will win it for Ghana. I have been in Ghana for many years and I have done this profession for many years so I know what I’m talking about. This will be our tribute for Ghana if this game will be a fair game,” he said.
“There is too much politics in football these days but I am confident we will win. Our aim is to reach the money zone so we are going all out on Wednesday to do what we have to do”, he added.
Medeama were knocked out of the MTN FA Cup Round of 62 and also lost their last Premier League game against Sekondi Hasaacas but the Swedish trainer said none of them should be used as determinant for the outcome of their game against Al-Ahli.
“My players are good, they have high standards so I believe they will live up to expectation irrespective of what has happened in the past,” he noted.
The twice Ghana FA Cup holders secured passage after beating Libyan side Al Ittihad 2-1 on aggregate.
Meanwhile, the Sudanese who arrived in the country last Friday, trained at the Lizzy Sports Complex at East Legon in preparation for Wednesday’s clash..