Medeama SC's aspirations in the CAF Champions League stand on a precipice, delicately poised between hope and uncertainty. The Ghanaian champions navigate through a challenging group, where the path to success becomes even more intricate.
Pitched alongside two North African clubs,the race for qualification to the next phase gets tougher and tougher each match day and the Medeama's game against CR Belouizdad in Kumasi on Friday is no exception.
The Reds defeated Young Africans of Tanzania in the opening day and and would play as guests on Medeama on Friday.
And Godfred Budu has had a look at one key player of the Algerian side who is capable of breaking Kotoko hearts on Friday.
Lamin Jallow is a 27 year old Gambian attacker who scores goals for fun.
When in possession, Jallow has that tremendous gift of being able to travel with the ball whilst at the same time keeping it under his complete control and shielding it away from his opponent. The way he links play between midfield and attack is a joy to watch- easy on the eye!
He has everything: he’s good on the ball, he scores goals and he helps the team. His quick movements are crucial in ‘killing’ the opposition defenders. You just have to give him a metre of space and he’ll hurt you. With his pace and the ability to go past defenders with effortless ease, he’s a hugely challenging proposition for any defender to handle in a 1v1 situation. Indeed, being so adept in this regard has positive ramifications for his teammates too, for he regularly gets double or triple teamed, which importantly creates space for teammates to utilise.
His movement is another highlight of his, using this to surge in behind with superbly timed runs, find space infield or be instrumental in creating overloads.
But it is not just Jallow's technique that poses such a threat. He is strong on the ball and Medeama's best option may be to force him out wide, where on occasion he can be marginalised.
Given that, the striker, the former Chievo Verona, Salernitana and Adanaspor forward thrives on balls from the wings, Evans Augustine Adotey may have to tinker with his formation in order that there’s no drop-off from the usual supply lines.
Having joined the Algerian outfit in August 2023, the Gambian international has netted once in three appearances- he did that last weekend when his side defeated the Tanzanian giants.
Medeama's rearguard on the day must play above themselves and isolate the Belouizdad forward to keep the dreams of advancing to the next phase alive. Should they fail in that regard, Lamin Jallow may be the man to shatter their dreams.
