Awako: Empty stadium will not affect us

TP Mazembe Ghanaian midfielder Gladson Awako insists that they will not be affected in any way in today’s CAF Champions League match against ES Setif, though they will play the game behind closed doors.

Today’s semi-final clash will be played behind closed doors due to sanctions on the Algerian club. But it is not only the lack of fans in the stadium that will count against the home side, as the weight of history favours Mazembe, who have three draws and a win from the four previous encounters between the two sides.

“We know what is involved and we don’t care whether the supporters ate there or not, all we know is that we must win tomorrow’s match to make the return leg a mere formality. The inability of the fans to come and watch the match tomorrow will rather affect them and it’s a good thing for us”, Awako mentioned in a chat with sportscrusader.com.

“There is no on our part because we are confident and the pressure is rather on them to deliver. We will just go into the game and play our normal game and fight for a win and an away goal as it could be precious in the return leg”.

TP Mazembe has been preparing for the clash in Ghana, and Awako stated that the team is very focused to reach the final one more time. “It’s like we have not won it before. The team is so hungry for success on the African continent and having come this far, I don’t think we will allow the Algerians to stand in our way”.