Medeama Exit CAF Confed Cup

Ghana’s sole representative in Africa club competition, Medeama SC, has exited the 2015/16 CAF Confederations Cup after succumbing to a 1-0 defeat to MO Bejaia at the Stade de l’Unité Maghrébine.

 

The Mauve-and-Yellows only had to avoid defeat to seal qualification to a club historic semi-final berth at the expense of their Algerian counterparts but, Morgan Betorangal’s 52nd minute goal was all Bejaia needed to slide through on head-to-head and goal difference rules.

The 2014/15 MTN FA Cup champions defended well as they held the host at bay to end the first half in a more promising position.

 

Coach Prince Owusu made tactical substitutions by introducing attackers Bismark Oppong and Emmanuel Agyemang in the quest to find the equalising goal but proved futile.

With this victory, the Algerian side has joined group favourites, TP Mazembe, who topped the group with a 3-1 thumping of Young Africans of Tanzania.

Medeama Exit CAF Confed Cup

CAF CC: Medeama Confident of TP Mazembe Scalp

Medeama SC head coach, Prince Owusu, is certain his team will grab all the three points when they host African giants, TP Mazembe at the Essipong Sports Stadium on Sunday, August 14.

The Mauve-and-Yellows go into the tie with their destiny of qualifying to the semi-final as the second placed team in their own hands, as they are on the same points [5-points] with Algerian side, MO Bejaia – who play Tanzanian side, Young Africans away from home.

After winning their first game of the group stage, courtesy a 3-1 thrashing of Tanzanian side, Young Africans in their last home game.

Owusu believes the side is in a buoyant mood and are certain of a win against the Congolese serial champions.

 

“Everybody knows the pedigree of Mazembe when it comes to football in Africa, and we are aware of the threat they pose as a team even though they have already qualified to the semi-final.

“But that will not matter on Sunday, because they will also want to keep their good run in the competition intact so there’s nothing like an easy match. On the contrary, we are envisaging a tough game, but we are confident of winning.”

CAF CC: Medeama Confident of TP Mazembe Scalp

CAF CC: Medeama Expresses Appreciation To FA

Patrick Akoto, Deputy Communication Officer of Ghana Premier League side, Medeama SC, has thanked the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Premier League Board (PLB) and the remaining 15 premier league clubs for the show of support ahead of their crunch game against Tout Puissant Mazembe on Sunday, August 14 at the Essipong Sports Stadium.

The GFA and the PLB, earlier this week, announced that clubs will observe their match week 24 matches on Saturday instead of Sunday to allow football-loving fans and the media focus solely on Medeama’s Confederation Cup tie.

The Tarkwa-based side had wished for this support earlier, with postponed matches piled up for them to observe immediately after a cup game, but Akoto, speaking on behalf of the club, expressed the club’s gratitude to the FA for this arrangement, though they wished it [support] had come earlier.

He said, “it is better late than never, and so we are grateful to the FA as this gesture will serve as a morale booster for the team.

“This will enable Ghana afford us the needed support.

“The ground swell of support we have enjoyed and still do, from the people of Sekondi-Takoradi, is beyond measure. We hope these supports will serve as the catalyst to take the club to the apex of African Football.”

Medeama lie in second position with 5 points ahead of Mouloudia Bejaia and will look to revenge their 3-1 defeat suffered in their first leg meeting and boost their chances of securing a first time semi-final berth.

CAF CC: Medeama Expresses Appreciation To FA

Video: Medeama SC Pumped Up For Mazembe Clash

Ghana’s sole representative in African club competition, Medeama SC held their last training session ahead of their clash against TP Mazembe in high spirit.

The mauve-and-yellow will be making their debut in the CAF Confederation Cup later today and will look to kick off in style when they face group and tournament favourite, TP Mazembe in Lumubashi.

Here’s video of the high spirit in the camp of the Tarkwa based club:

Video: Medeama SC Pumped Up For Mazembe Clash

CAF CC : Solomon Asante Eyes Medeama Scalp

DR Congo based Ghanaian midfielder Solomon Asante is targeting an opening victory over Medeama SC in the CAF confederation cup matches.

The slippery TP Mazembe’s attacking midfielder hailed the quality opposition posed by his compatriots but ruled out any surprise win for the Ghanaians.

The Ghanaians booked their maiden ticket to the money zone of the continental showdown in a stunning manner but will need to outplay their usual self to return home with a point in the opening group stage matches at the noisy Lubumbashi stadium.

Solomon Asante, who joined TP Mazembe from Ghanaian side Berekum Chelsea, has been one one of the key pillars of the Congolese giants since arrival from the Ghana Premier league.

The potable attacking midfielder pledged hell for his Ghanaian brothers ahead of their clash on Sunday.

“Medeama SC is a very good side but victory will be ours. They have faired extremely well in the competition do far but victory will be ours at the end of the game” Solomon Asante briefed sports crusader.

Mazemba crushed out of the champions league in the final hurdle in their quest to defend the trophy whiles Medeama SC booked a place in the money zone for only the first time.

The two sides go head to head on Sunday June 19,2016 at the dreaded Lubumbashi stadium in DR Congo.

CAF CC : Solomon Asante Eyes Medeama Scalp

Medeama Can Win Confed Cup But ... - TP Mazembe

Ghana Premier League side, Medeama SC are a good side and can even win the confederation cup but defeating us (TP Mazembe) at home is not part according to TP Mazembe midfielder Daniel Nii Adjei.

The Mauve-and-Yellow have set sights on an upset as they travel to DR COngo to face tournament favourite, Tout Pissant Mazembe popular known as TP Mazembe in their maiden participation in the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup.

Former Kumasi Asante Kotoko midfielder, Nii Adjei who plies his trade with the Congolese side has warned his compatriots to expect nothing short of a defeat when they face on Sunday at the Stade TP Mazembe.

“They (Medeama) can say they will win the trophy, every team can win the tournament but coming to beat us in Lubumbashi will not happen,” Adjei told Accra FM.”

“We know them and we have watched them so we will do everything possible to defeat them here in Lubumbashi.”

Medeama will leave Ghana on Thursday for the first game in the 2015/16 CAF Confederation Cup group stage.

Medeama Can Win Confed Cup But ... - TP Mazembe

Strand"s Departure Could Be A Blessing- Medeama Chief

President of Medeama Sporting Club, Mr. Moses Armah feels the unceremonious departure of Head Coach Tom Strand could be a blessing in disguise.

The 33-year old Swede trainer shocked many football fans across the world when he disappeared from his side’s hotel, leaving his resignation letter after their 3-1 defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns in the CAF Confederation Cup play-off first leg tie in Pretoria over the weekend.

Strand’s action has gained international lenses with widespread fears his coaching career could be all but over.

But the two-time Ghanaian FA Cup holders are undaunted by the bizarre exit of the controversial trainer and club President Mr. Moses Armah reckons the current situation could be a blessing in disguise.

“It is good for us, whatever has happened is very good for us,” Armah told reporters on arrival from South Africa.

“Before our departure I didn’t even want to go with him but the CEO pleaded on his behalf so if he has left fine.

“We are going all out to qualify for the next stage, coach Adotey will handle the team”, he added.

Medeama host the Brazilians in Sekondi on May 18 needing to overturn the 3-1 deficit.

Strand"s Departure Could Be A Blessing- Medeama Chief

Muntari Tagoe Targets Sundowns Scalp Ahead Of Return Leg

Medeama SC custodian Muntari Tagoe is targeting qualification to the CAF Confederation Cup money zone at the expense of South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns.

The shot stopper is confident of a good result in the first leg tie on Saturday ahead of the return leg in Ghana.

Medeama SC head to South Africa for the first leg of the tie on Saturday before hosting the PSL side at the Sekondi Stadium at Essipong for a place in the group phase of the competition.

The ambitious goalie of the Ghanaian side however wants to seal qualification in South Africa to take the pressure off his side when they host the South Africans in Ghana.

“The players are psyched up and we are ready to do our best to ensure that we qualify in the first leg to take the pressure away when we play the return leg,” he said.

“We are ready to qualify in the first leg so that we can make the return leg a mere formality,” Tagoe briefed reporters before heading to South Africa.

The talented shot stopper then ruled out any negative effect of their late trip to South Africa ahead of Saturday’s game.

“Even if they give us one day to train we can still play against them as we are ready and matured now,” Muntari Tagoe concluded.

Medeama SC have enjoyed a stellar continental journey so far but will have to hit above their strength to oust Mamelodi Sundowns from the CAF Confederation Cup.

Muntari Tagoe Targets Sundowns Scalp Ahead Of Return Leg