History beckons this Sunday when debutants and Ghana's remaining hope in CAF club competition, Medeama SC, host Zambia's Zesco United in the first leg of their Confederation Cup one-eighth encounter.
The game, which comes off at the Essipon Stadium, provides the Mauves and Yellows a great chance to take a giant stride towards the last play-off before the group stage.
But first, they must account for Zesco United, three-time Zambian champions, owned and sponsored by the state-owned electricity supplier, ZESCO.
So far, Peruvian UEFA License A certificate holder, Carlos Roberto Paulette, has masterminded a brilliant debut campaign for the Tarkwa-based side since taking over (at the turn of the year). Impressive aggregate victories over Panthers FC of Equatorial Guinea (4-1) in the preliminary round and MAS Fes of Morocco (4-2) in the first round have left Medeama in a buoyant mood ahead of Sunday’s crucial meeting.
Putting the game in perspective, Medeama’s pursuit of the First Capital Plus Premier League title remains a “wild goose chase” as they are currently third with 14 points adrift of the leaders, and their hopes now confined to a top four finish.
Nevertheless, in the Confederation Cup, they have a genuine opportunity of making the lucrative group stage. They need another comfortable first leg win against Zesco, who themselves accounted for Ferroviário da Beira of Mozambique 1-0 in the last round.
The Zambians drew a bye in the first round and ousted the Mozambicans after the first leg ended in a barren draw. A 1-0 victory in the return leg at the 40,800 capacity seater Levy Mwanawasa Stadium was enough to secure a date with Ghana’s MTN FA Cup holders, Medeama.
An attacking quartet of Godbless Asamoah, Hans Coffie, Kabiru Imoro and Theophilus Anobaah must be at their imperious best to ensure Medeama take a giant stride in their quest ahead of the return leg slated for next weekend in Zambia..
