Too Little, Too Late For Chelsea
Berekum Chelsea’s smallish midfielder, Jordan Opoku, scored an image-saving lone goal for his side against former champions, TP Mazembe, as the two exhibited what could best be described as practice match at the Accra Sports Stadium yesterday to lower the curtains on the group stage of the 2012 CAF Champions League. The 80th minute goal, which came against the run of play, was least expected as the scanty fans had given up hope on the Ghanaian debutantes whose first victory in the competition was recorded at the same venue against Zamalek.
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Chelsea’s nine points from Group B, however, could not guarantee them a place in the semi-final of the CAF Champions League, as their Central African opponents and North African giants, Ahly, had already picked the group’s tickets for the last four.
The victory notwithstanding, except for a second half superlative performance by goalkeeper Collins Addo, who stood between TP Mazembe and victory, there was nothing to cheer about in this boring final Group B match. Apart from playing for pride, Chelsea’s chances were further blighted by the absence of five key players, including leading goal scorer,
Emmanuel Clottey.
Clottey’s move to Tunisian side, Esperance, and Bismark Idan’s suspension forced Coach Hans van der Pluym to play the match without an-out-and-out striker as winger Solomon Asante became the main attraction upfront. Mazembe looked better on the day, especially in the first half where they threatened seldomly as the Berekum lads struggled to gel.
Chelsea’s best moment came at the start of the second half when Asante struggled in front of ace goalkeeper Muteba Kidiaba, while minutes later Yaw Alexander rifled a reckless one off target after a beautiful trap by Skipper Abdul Basit.
But that scare was challenged by two continuous strikes by Africa’s best local talent, Tresor Mabi Mputu, whose long drive was pushed back into action by goalkeeper Collins Addo and Given Singuluman’s dummy in the box was thwarted. Singuluma, one of Zambia’s best strike forces, who burst into prominence during the maiden CHAN competition in Cote d’Ivoire, paired beautifully with Mputu but they lacked the urgency in the penalty box. But the pair literally terrorised the Chelsea defence to bring out the best in goalkeeper Addo. But against the run of play, Opoku popped up to fetch an image-saving goal for the Berekum lads.
Mazembe and Group B leaders, Ahly of Egypt, as well as their counterparts from Group A, Esperance and Sunshine Stars of Nigeria, are through to the semi-finals.
Chelsea: Collins Addo, Samuel Kyere, Alfred Arthur, Owusu Jackson, Ahmed Adams/Yaw Alexander, Joseph Ato Bissah/Ibrahim Issaka, Solomon Asante, Jordan Opoku, Kweku Andoh, Abdul Basit, Richard Boateng.
Story: Daniel Kenu
