Dutch tactician Hans van der Pluym is beaming with pride and
belief in the ability of his side Berekum Chelsea to go all the way in the CAF
Chmapions’ League. The just dethroned Ghanaian champions have been excellent
thus far in their maiden campaign in the continental flagship club tournament,
first twice coming from behind to notch a 3-2 victory over 5-time winners
Zamalek of Egypt before doing the impossible by holding 2009 and 2010 champs
T.P. Mazembe 2-2 in Lubumbashi having trailed 0-2. All their 5 goals may have
come through hitman Emmanuel Clottey, but it is the work ethic of the entire
team that has left van der Pluym beaming with smiles.
“We showed too much respect to the opponent in the beginning
but mainly the pressure was too much inside that stadium. The noise was too
much and you could not hear a thing. Everyone at Mazembe were really up for the
game and you know they have 4 players who are internationals for Zambia, 4
internationals for Congo, not to talk of their fans. Everything was really
against us in the beginning,” the Chelsea coach explained why they fell two
goals behind under 20 minutes.
He saw his side strike twice in the second half to grab a
point and it’s that self-belief and confidence that motivates his hopes of
success as his side prepares for the journey to Egypt o face record winners Al
Ahly this Saturday.
He continued: “But Clottey told me at halftime; ‘Coach, don’t
worry, we will do it.’ So if the players are telling you that, then you need
not worry. And in the second half, so much patience and control even as we were
losing 2-0. I watched the game again later that night and we didn’t panic, just
concentrated on the job at hand and in the end we did it. I have a lot of
confidence in my team but we will not relent. We must continue to to improve,
that’s the most important thing.”
Fight for Sly Tetteh’s Liberty
Professionals?
Premier League club Liberty Professionals may be in trouble following
reports that family of founder and former President of the club Alhaji Sly
Tetteh are battling for ownership of his assets. The Daily Guide newspaper run
a front page news last week alleging that a raging battle is on-going over who
owns what of the many properties the celebrated football player administrator
left behind. The club, the most famous of the assets of the late Sly Tetteh, is
seemingly not in nay trouble despite the sacking of J.E. Sarpong as head coach
of the club at the end of last season.
Sellas Tetteh, Technical Director of the club will not
answer 90 MINUTES enquiries if the club was in any crisis regarding the subject
matter, but nevertheless gave the assurance that all is well with Liberty as
the countdown to the 2012/13 Glo Ghana Premeir League season gets underway.
“No, not at all, no problems here as far as I know. The team
is busy preparing for next season. If anything, then come and talk to
management, not the technical team,” Sellas Tetteh said.
Yahaya Tetteh, brother of the late Sly Tetteh also won’t
delve into the issue when we called him. “I don’t know anything. No, no, no, I
don’t know anything,” Yahaya’s only response to the question.
