Djoliba AC head coach Ivan Minnaert has expressed hope that his side can turn the tide in their favour when they face Hearts in Accra in their Caf Confederation Cup reverse leg.
The Spaniard has blamed lack of finesse before the goal and defensive errors for their shock home defeat by Hearts of Oak at the Modibo Keita Stadium last weekend.
Hearts capitalised on an error by captain and Mali under-20 defender Ichaka Diarra for Gilbert Fiamenyo to score a 55th minute opener with another goal by Paul Acquah ensuing eight minutes later. Ichaka, however, redeemed himself by converting a penalty awarded to Djoliba in the 73rd minutes as the game ended 2-1 in favour of the Phobians.
Minnaert believes his side let off their visitors with their lethargic display.
“We were not clinical in front of goal despite plenty of possession. The errors of our defenders cost us while our opponents scored with their few opportunities,” he bemoaned in an interview with the Malian press.
The gaffer is promising to do all he can to have his side pay Hearts back in Accra with a two-goal margin come May 3.
“This is football, we can do better in the return leg. We are going to Ghana to win and qualify for the next round. We need a two-goal margin to eliminate this team [Hearts]. I rely on my team for qualification. We dominated much of the game. I do not think they posed too many problems to us.
“We will see. I’ll try to do everything to get a good result. I hope for a 2-0 or 3-1 win for us,” he said.
