Chelsea to challenge Mazembe in Champions League

Berekum Chelsea believe the growing confidence around the team following their winning start in the group stage of the CAF Champions League will aid their campaign.

Hans Van der Plyum's side meet four-time African champions TP Mazembe on Sunday in the second match-day fixture in Group B.


The former Ghanaian champions begun their group campaign with narrow 3-2 victory over Zamalek in Accra, a fortnight ago.


Though they admit that they have a long way to go in reaching the semi-finals of Africa’s biggest club competition, Chelsea are hopeful of a positive result when they travel to Lubumbashi to meet Mazembe, who suffered a last-gasp 2-1 defeat to Al-Ahly.


"That is the ambition and that is the dream," Van der Plyum said.


"We know how hectic the game will be in Lubumbashi. They are four time winners of the Champions League which is not a small thing.


"They have four or five internationals from Zambia and the boys will have that in their heads - they are ready to face them."

Van der Plyum is hoping to avoid mistakes as Chelsea, debutants in the competition and who top Group B on goal difference from Al Ahly aim to maintain their fine start in the mini-league.


"You don't make unnecessary mistakes because you get punished for them," he said.


"From the beginning they have called it the 'the group of death' - for me if we have a fantastic day and the opponent has a poor day we have possibilities to win the match.


"The most important thing is that you are positive minded, have the right attitude to play, not complain about the referees, focus on the match and then I know there are chances."


Zamalek play Al Ahly in an all-Egyptian clash behind closed doors at the Military Academy Stadium on Sunday.