Preview: Medeama SC Battle Mamelodi Sundowns in CAF Confederation Cup

It is an undeniable fact that Medeama SC and Mamelodi Sundowns are miles are apart in terms of pedigree and achievement. Medeama SC on any day cannot rival the successes chalked by Sundowns on both the domestic and international fronts, yet the two sides face off in the 2nd leg of the CAF Confederation Cup final play-off round at the Essipong Stadium in Sekondi on Wednesday May 18, 2016.

The first leg played at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria ended 3 – 1 for the South Africans who showed enough character and resilience to score three goals in the last ten minutes of the game, after the Ghanaians had scored in the first minute of play. Interestingly, right after the Mauves lost to the Brazilians in Pretoria, Swedish coach Tom Strand vanished into thin air for unexplained reasons after just 17 months in charge.

The stage is now set for an enticing duel between the two, with the winner qualifying to play in the group stages of the CAF Confederation Cup. The two have all come a long way; Sundowns beat Chicken Inn FC (Zimbabwe) and AC Leopards (Congo), only to be dealt a knockout blow by AS Vita Club of DR Congo from the group stages of the CAF Champions League, dropping to the play-off round of the Confederations Cup. Medeama on the other hand disposed off Al-Ittihad Tripoli (Libya) and Al Ahly Shendi(Sudan) to get thus far.

The 7-time South African ABSA Premiership Champions wrapped up their 7th title 2 weeks ago with two matches to spare; they dazzled and held all spell-bound with some flamboyant display. In goal, impressive Ugandan shot-stopper Dennis Onyango has kept Zambian hero Kennedy Mweene on the bench. Their water tight defence is marshaled around Wayne Arendse and Thabo Nthethe, the attacking trio of Leonardo Castro, Keagan Dolly and Khama Billiat are difficult to contend with. Indeed, the evergreen Teko Modise, Cuthbert Malajila and Liberian import Anthony Laffor are also in this team put together by the experienced coach Pitso Mosimane. And to realize that Sundowns is owned by Patrice Motsepe, one of Africa’s richest men with a networth of $1.37 billion says a lot about how well they are extrinsically motivated.

The Tarkwa based side were however dealt a heartbreaking moment – infront of their fans - after they were kicked out at this same level in 2014 by AC Leopards of Congo 5 – 4 on

penalties after the two legged tie ended 2 – 2. Two years on, another opportunity await the Mauves again infront of their fans, a task which looks quite daunting but surmountable. Medeama have recorded 2 - 0 wins in their last 4 continental games, with Sundowns failing to win any of their last 7 continental games.

On paper, Sundowns look quite intimidating and rightfully so they lost only 3 games, scoring 54 and conceding 20 on their way to winning the domestic title this season with a game to spare. Their swashbuckling performances have been engineered by Pitso Mosimane, a tactician extraordinaire who himself was a great footballer.

For Medeama, the onus now lies on their Technical Director Evans Adotey to right all the wrongs by the heavily tattooed Swede who has treated Mauves with so much contempt and disregard for a club that has given him so much. It is however quite refreshing that the players themselves believe they can pull off a huge coup. Muntari Tagoe, Paul Aidoo, Victor Ayire, Malik Akowuah, Kwame Boahene, Eric Kwakwa, Enoch Attah Agyei, Benjamin Bature, Bernard Ofori et al have resolved to scale this herculean hurdle.

Medeama have admitted they lost the first leg by momentary loss of concentration. Hopefully with the enigmatic engine room Malik Akowuah in the form of his life, he could be a puzzle for Sundowns. Hopefully if Medeama are able to avoid conceding a goal – a habit in the local league – a great story could be written at the end of the day.

Evans Adotey may just be a stop-gap manager but he holds the key to Medeama’s success story in Africa. He must currently be in an awkward position, but he can be the hero if he is able to pull the chestnut out from the blazing fire.