Berekum Chelsea dares TP Mazembe

in Lubumbashi in Orange ACL

By George Osei

With a hundred percent record in the group phase of the Orange African Champion?s League, Ghanaian outfit, Berekum Chelsea will be in confident mood as they trek to the Democratic Republic of Congo to face the might of TP Mazembe in Lubumbashi on Sunday.

The Blues of Ghana beat Egyptian giants Zamalek 3 ? 2 in Accra in their opening group fixture, and would be out to protect their good start to the competition as they take on the former African champions in their own backyard.

Mazembelost their opener 1 ? 2 to Al Ahly at the Cairo military stadium in Egypt, and badly needs a win to get back into contention in this group that has been tagged the ?Group of Death? by many expects.

The Ghanaians are a team on form and with character, as they showed in coming from behind twice to beat the five times African champions, Zamalek in Accra.

In Emmanuel Clottey, they have the leading scorer in the competition and his knack for goals would be required as the Berekum side seeks to make a huge impression in this, their debut campaign in African club competition.

They are expected to give Mazembe a very good run for their money and although this represents a very difficult assignment, coach Hans Van der Plyum believes his charges has what it takes to handle the situation.

The Dutchman said, his boys will not be afraid of the opposition on Sunday adding that they would be up to the challenge in taking on one of the most difficult teams to play outside of your own home.

Mazembe will honour this tie in their newly built stadium in the DR Congo?s second largest city, and expect to bounce back after their defeat in Egypt on the opening day.

They are a hard nut to crack on home soil, but as Chelsea has proved so far in this competition, you write them off at your own peril and that they will not go down without a fight.

In the other game in Group A, Zamalek will host Al Ahly in the latest installment of the Cairo derby with the former needing a win to get back into contention after losing their opener.

Action in Group B will see defending champions, Esparance of Tunisia seeking to make it two wins out of two as they welcome ASO Chief of Algeria to Tunis after their opening day 2 ? 0 away victory over Sunshine Stars of Nigeria.

Another Tunisian side, ES Sahel will also be at home to Sunshine Stars and would be the odds on favourites to claim the three points after piping ASO Chief 1 ? 0 in Algeria in their first group game.

Source: George Osei (okotosports@yahoo.com)