For the third straight season, a debutant will carry Ghana’s hopes in the CAF Champions League.

Medeama set the tone two years ago by ending an 11-year wait for a Ghanaian club in the group stage, but Samartex faltered last season, exiting in the second preliminary round at the hands of Morocco’s Raja Casablanca.

Now it’s Bibiani GoldStars’ turn, and their baptism on the continent could not be tougher.

They face Algeria’s record 14-time champions and two-time CAF Champions League winners, JS Kabylie, in the first preliminary round.

GoldStars coach Frimpong Manso acknowledges their opponents’ pedigree but believes his side can cause an upset.

“JSK, we know them to be one of the strong sides and a very confident team. And in terms of experience, I think they are ahead of us. I can talk about that because they’ve been playing in the Champions League for some time, but then this is our first time,” he told Joy Sports.

“But that doesn’t mean that we’re going to respect them too much, no. Now we are also starting, so we also need to be able to get to a point where we can also be like them. So yes, this game, we know it’s going to be very difficult, but then we want to make sure we also have a very good result in the first leg, especially.

“Although we know they are a very, very strong side, it’s not going to scare us.”

‘GoldStars ready’

The Ghanaian champions began pre-season in mid-July, playing more than 12 friendlies – including a GHALCA Top 4 triumph – and already have two competitive games under their belt.

Coach Manso and Captain Yakubu Haqq insist the squad is primed for the challenge.

“We had our first game in the GPL last week. We won against Bechem United and that has set the tone for us to play JSK on Saturday. I think we are set.”

Haqq added, “I think we’ve done enough, because with where we’ve reached now, I can confidently say we’ve done enough, and we know we can do better in the games ahead.”

Confidence and belief key

Stage fright and inferiority complex have undone many Ghanaian sides in Africa. For Manso, confidence and self-belief will be decisive if GoldStars are to topple the Algerian giants.

“We need to have confidence in ourselves,” Manso stressed, adding, “sometimes you may have a good team, but if they don’t believe in themselves, if they don’t believe in their ability, they cannot move forward. So this time around, we need to make sure they understand all these things.

“We have to let them know that where they are going is not for young guys. Once you’ve been able to get to that place, it means you’re also a very good side. So we need to make sure we also go into the game with a lot of confidence.

“We’ve worked so hard, so we need to make sure we also try to take our chances. Sometimes you may play, but if you squander the chances, it will go back to hunt.”

Haqq shared a similar sentiment as his head coach, stating, “We know these North Africans. Normally, when playing Ghanaian clubs, there are strategies they use, which is intimidation, sometimes on the field of play. So I think what we need to do to overcome them is to also work the extra mile.

“There are times you play 90 plus minutes, and I think we need to stand tall and give out our best.”

Home away from home

Though technically at home, GoldStars will host the game at the Accra Sports Stadium as their favourite Dun’s Park doesn’t meet CAF’s standards.

They’re urging fans to fill the stands on Saturday to create an intimidating atmosphere.

“We are playing Accra. It’s not our home grounds. And so what we will appeal for is for all Ghanaians, those who can come to the stadium to give us the support. They did it for the Blasters against Mali.

“So we are very sure they will do the same thing to us. And I’m very sure if they also come in their numbers, we can also win and win well.”

Captain Hadd said, “we need the support of Ghanaians. They need to come and support us, because for now we are not representing Bibiani alone.

“We are representing the whole nation, and there is nothing we need from Ghanaians more than for them to come in their numbers to support us.”

Seeking a solid first-leg cushion

Manso explained that a heavy win at home doesn’t guarantee them success in the tie.

“You cannot say if you win [the home game] 4-0, you are okay. No, sometimes it depends on what you do in the second leg. You can score six, but you can still lose the return encounter. So it depends on what you do in the second leg. So it doesn’t matter.

“I think we want a respectable scoreline so that it can boost our confidence going into the second leg.”

GoldStars opened their Ghana Premier League title defence with a 2-1 victory over Bechem United, while Kabylie are winless in three league games, scoring just once.

The game will kick off at the Accra Sports Stadium at 3 pm on Saturday.

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Source: myjoyonline.com
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