Hans Sarpei confident of Uefa Cup advance

Ghana defender Hans Adu Sarpei is confident his German club Bayer Leverkusen will reach the semi-final of the Uefa Cup next month.

Leverkusen have been drawn to play Russian side Zenit St. Petersburg in the first leg of quarter final on 3 April with the return leg a week later.

The 30-year-old has played an important part in the club's recent good showing and is confident they will be able to overcome the Russian challenge to reach the last four.

"It is a difficult draw as the weather in Russia will not be favourable because the winter is so severe there," Sarpei told Ghanasoccernet.com.

"But we have the capability of winning the tie over two legs to reach the semi-finals which will be a great achievement for us."

The defender is aware that his compatriot Dede Ayew suffered racist abuse when St. Petersburg eliminated the youngster's French side Marseille last Thursday.

Sarpei is confident that a stern action from Uefa will prevent the incident from recurring when they visit Russia in the second-leg of their encounter.

"I spoke with Dede since I heard of the incident and he told me it was an ugly scene which no one should suffer," Sarpei said.

"The only thing that can prevent this thing from happening is for Uefa to take a strong action against those involved if they found guilty.

"If no action is taken it gives these ignorant bigots the confidence to come out there to the game to continue to perpetrate these crimes."

Sarpei excelled at the recent African Cup of Nations after some despite some doubts from certain quarters about his performance for the Black Stars.

The defender is thrilled to have proved that he merits a place in the Ghana national team.

"I always believed in my ability and the contribution I made for the national team in the past," he told Ghanasoccernet.

"I was never in doubt that I will put up a good show if I am chosen to play for the country and I am happy that these same sceptics came back congratulating me after the Nations Cup.

"It is good that they have seen my play at first hand and will surely put to rest those doubts."

Sarpei is part of Ghana's team that will play Mexico in a friendly later this month.