CAF Champions League rounds up this week-end

Accra, Sept 11, GNA - The curtains will draw down on the league stages of the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) Champions League competition this weekend.

Though not a very successful campaign for the two Ghanaian clubs, Kumasi Asante Kotoko are still in contention for a place in the semi-final stage should they win their next game, whilst Hearts are completely out after losing by a lone goal to Enyimba International of Nigeria to be at the bottom of the group with only a point. Kotoko who are placed third in group A, with seven points, will play as guests of Tunisian side, CS Sfaxien in the final group game in Tunisia this week-end and will be in search of the maximum three points to dislodge the Tunisians from the second position.

Nothing more than a win will ensure a place for Kotoko in the semi-final stage, thus making the task a more difficult one for the =91Porcupine Warriors' who won their last game against JS Kabylie 2-1 at the Obuasi Len Clay Stadium, last Saturday to boost their chances. Information gathered by the GNA Sports reveals that Kotoko are scheduled to jet out of the country by Wednesday for Tunisia to get acclimatised for the tough encounter.

Mr Jarvis Peprah, Acting Chief Executive of Kotoko is confident of the Club defeating the North Africans, even at their own backyard to ensure they progress to the next stage of the competition.

He said in an interview that the management has given the players the best form of motivation by increasing their winning bonuses as well as other incentives so as to derive maximum performance from them. The Kumasi lads can be said to be favourites when one takes into consideration the previous results of the match between the two sides. This positive stance especially form their supporters comes in the wake of Kotoko's 4-2 win over the Tunisians in the first round game at the Len Clay Stadium and this most of their followers think the team can count on to repeat a similar performance if they put in, a little more effort.

The Sfaxien lads on the other hand have enjoyed impressive home records in the competition and this they may use to their advantage as they clash with the Ghanaian champions.

Hearts on the other hand have to forget about their dreams of making an impact in the competition this year after losing their last game to Enyimba of Nigeria.

The Phobians now have to play for pride this time around as they welcome Group B leaders Asec Mimosas of Cote D'Ivoire in the last group game at the Len Clay Stadium at Obuasi. The Ivorians drubbed Hearts 3-0 in the first round, a result which seemed to have dented the image of the Club on the continent hence the second round game provides the Ghanaians with the platform to avenge the humiliating defeat.