Medeama head coach Ibrahim Tanko has acknowledged that TP Mazembe executed their counter-attacking strategy effectively during the first leg of their CAF Champions League tie in Tarkwa.
The Ghanaian champions head into Saturday’s return fixture in Lubumbashi needing to overturn a 1-0 deficit to keep their hopes of progressing to the next stage of the competition alive.
The decisive second-leg encounter is scheduled for Saturday, September 12, with Medeama requiring a victory in DR Congo to advance to the second phase of the CAF Champions League campaign.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Tanko praised Mazembe’s organisation and tactical approach in the first leg, while admitting that Medeama’s failure to convert their chances made the difference.
“TP Mazembe played very well in the first leg. Their organisation was good. Definitely, when you are playing away in the first leg, you have to plan something, and they waited for us and tried to hit us on the counter. It worked well for them,” Tanko said.
The Medeama coach believes the tie could have taken a different shape had his players been more clinical in front of goal.
“I think, like I said, we created a lot of chances. If we had scored, it would have been a completely different game going into the second leg. But I think we have quality, and they also have quality, so let’s see what happens tomorrow,” he added.
TP Mazembe will enjoy home advantage and the backing of their supporters in Lubumbashi, but Medeama will travel determined to produce a much-improved performance.
The Yellow and Mauve know they must be clinical in front of goal and defensively disciplined if they are to overturn the deficit and keep their CAF Champions League journey alive.
