Four Ghanaians set to clash in fierce Serbian derby

For the first time in the history of Serbian football, four Ghanaians will be in action on Wednesday when Partizan and Red Star lock horns in one of Europe's fiercely contested matches.

Strikers Prince Tagoe and Dominic Adiyiah are likely to play for Partizan while Red Star has Lee Addy and Issah Mohammed and the Africans are expected to decide the game.

Wednesday's match is the first of three clashes of the two Belgrade arch rivals in the remainder of the season.

Attention has turned to the Ghanaians to light up the match following their excellent showing in the league.

Tagoe and Adiyiah are one of the feared strikers of the league since their recent move to Partizan while Addy is the country's best defender with Mohammed regarded as Red Star's version of Michael Essien.

The first one is a Serbian Cup semi-final, first leg, and undoubtedly the one with the lightest psychological burden on the two teams, as the respective coaches both have announced open, attack-minded approaches on Wednesday afternoon.

Partizan goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic would not go into detailed analysis of what was said at the press conference, but revealed his ambitions ahead of the clash with Red Star.

“We will try to beat them and I will be focusing on it as if it were any other match. The only difference is that this is a Cup tie, and we will all keep this added weight in the backs of our heads. We need to play smart as there is the return leg to come.”

Stojkovic's opposite number, the Red Star shot stopper Sasa Stamenkovic, is not worried by the fact the coaches have announced a goal fest.

“It's not a problem, there can be goals, as long as we go through to the final. This is the right moment to end Partizan's domination.”

Red Star's last line of defence knows where the biggest danger in the opposition's side lies.

“We are aware Partizan strikers will be a problem. I expect foreign players to decide this derby. I hope our own Evandro and Borja are more successful than Tagoe and Adiyiah.”

Lee Addy is certainly the right man to talk to when it comes to impeding Partizan's Ghanaian attackers.

“Addy really knows his compatriots best and I expect him to stem their attacks towards our goal, and if I am called to duty, I hope I manage to keep a clean sheet.”

Partizan striker Prince Tagoe is aware of what awaits him in his first Belgrade derby.

“I am familiar with the rivalry between Partizan and Red Star and every derby is a story for itself. You just need to remain focused, calm and composed.

“I have had a chance to play the Hoffenheim v Mainz derby, which is also a big game of two neighbouring clubs.

I also featured in a derby clash back home in Ghana between Hearts of Oak and Kotoko. I am not promising a goal.

“Partizan need a win, but whoever gets on the scoresheet, I'll be happy.”

Partizan take on Red Star at the stadium in Humska on Wednesday, 5pm.