Bibiani GoldStars coach Frimpong Manso has conceded that his side must produce something special in Algeria if they are to overturn a 2-0 deficit against JS Kabylie in their CAF Champions League preliminary round tie.
The Ghana Premier League champions, making their debut in the competition, struggled to find rhythm at the Accra Sports Stadium on Saturday, allowing the Algerian heavyweights to take control of the contest and leave with a crucial advantage ahead of the return leg.
Manso, who led GoldStars to their historic first domestic league title last season, admitted the challenge is steep but maintained belief that his players can respond.
“No, it’s not over yet. We’ve lost the first leg, yes, but this is just the first leg. Next week we go to Algeria for the second leg.
It’s a tall order, but if we’re able to correct most of the mistakes we made today, I think we’ll do well in the second leg,” he told reporters after the match.
GoldStars’ problems began in the 21st minute when Medhi Merghem finished off a well-worked move, connecting cleanly with a cross from the right to give Kabylie the lead. The hosts’ fate was sealed in the 70th minute when Babacar Sarr capitalized on poor marking at a corner to tap home from close range, doubling the Algerians’ cushion.
The reverse fixture in Algeria next week will decide who advances to the second preliminary round, where the winner will meet either Sierra Leone’s East End Lions or Tunisian side US Monastir.
