Medeama vow to qualify

Samuel Ebo Kwaitoo Football Aug - 23 - 2016 , 11:39

Embattled Medeama FC are braving the odds to book a desperate semi-final ticket against an equally determined Mouloudia Olympic (MO) Bejaia in their titanic CAF Confederation Group A clash at the Unite Maghrebine Stadium in the port city of Bejaia at 1.30p.m. today.

The Ghanaians need a draw to book a historic last four qualification, while the goal-shy Algerians can only advance on the strength of the head-to-head rule after a vital home victory.

Interestingly, third-placed MO Bejaia have only scored once out of the five group matches, courtesy Yacine Salhi’s goal against visiting Young Africans of Tanzania on the opening day. That incidentally also remains their only win so far, with two barren draws against group leaders, TP Mazembe, and second-placed Medeama SC who now have eight points after that crucial 3-2 win against the Congolese.

That giant-killing feat at Essipon two weeks ago is expected to serve as source of inspiration for Medeama, who had to travel to Algeria in two batches due to flight problems. In a chat with the Daily Graphic yesterday, the CEO of Medeama, James Essilfie, assured Ghanaians of qualification despite the frustrations they went through.

He revealed that the first batch of the Medeama contingent arrived last Sunday evening, while the second batch, led by club president, Moses Armah (Mospacka), was expected to arrive yesterday afternoon.

That notwithstanding, he was fully confident that the players would make themselves and the nation proud with a semi-final booking.

Similarly, Coach Prince Owusu is also hoping for a repeat of the sterling performance against TP Mazembe to ensure their progress in the competition.

But with victory being the only lifeline for MO Bejaia, Coach Nacer Sandjak and his boys can be trusted to open fire from start to finish in a bid to get that crucial second goal that had proved elusive till now.