Dreams FC will challenge former CAF Confederation Cup champions Stade Malien in the quarter-finals of this season’s campaign on Sunday in Bamako.
The Still Believe lads head into the game knowing that a victory in the first leg would boost their chances of progressing and set the stage for a calm second leg.
However, the 2009 champions are determined to restore their past glory in the competition presenting Dreams FC with a daunting task. The Malian side are equally eying victory to ease their mission in the second leg.
With aspirations to emulate the success of Hearts of Oak, Dreams FC endeavours to become only the second Ghanaian team to clinch the Confederation Cup title.
It's trip to Mali for Dreams FC in the CAF Confederations Cup pic.twitter.com/H9LE3QMxlM
— Michael Oti Adjei (@OtiAdjei) March 12, 2024
Their impressive performance in their inaugural continental campaign has bolstered their confidence ahead of this crucial fixture.
Experienced tactician, coach Abdul Karim Zito expressed optimism about their chances in Sunday’s encounter as they chase continental glory.
“It is a big challenge. Yes, we have also accepted that so yes, we are preparing seriously for the encounter.”
Dreams FC will be without team captain Abdul Jalilu and Seth Agyeman in defense, but their chances will be boosted by the return of Black Satellites trio, Abdul Aziz Issah, Ofori McCarthy and Emmanuel Adjei, who won gold at the just-ended African Games.
Karim Zito is however calling on fans to rally behind the team as they navigate their way through to success.
“Well, we need them, we still depend on them to support us and pray for us. They should continue praying for us so that we do the best and raise the image of Ghana in Africa.”
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Deputy captain, John Antwi Doku says that Dreams have worked hard to get to the quarter-final of the Confederation Cup and hope to make it through to the next round.
“Of course, coming this far, I know a lot of Ghanaians didn’t expect us to go this far but then we have done our best to come this far and going forward, of course with our coach, Coach Karim Zito who also has a lot of experience and everybody on board, I think we can be able to go to the semifinal.” He said.
While the highly-anticipated clash is slated for Sunday, March 31, at 5:00 pm local time, the team will proceed with their preparations for the fixture as they embark on their journey to Mali on Friday, March 29.
By Emmanuel Andam | 3Sports | Ghana