TP Mazembe coach Patrice Carteron believes the experience make-up of his team will be the deciding factor in their quest for the 2015 Orange CAF Champions League title.
The DR Congo giants go into Sunday’s second leg final with a 2-1 win from the first leg, and the Frenchman insists his charges have enough arsenals to complete a double over their guests and cruise to their fifth title in the premier continental club championship.
The DR Congo giants go into Sunday’s second leg final with a 2-1 win from the first leg, and the Frenchman insists his charges have enough arsenals to complete a double over their guests and cruise to their fifth title in the premier continental club championship.
Mazembe have an experienced side and the quintet of Robert Muteba Kidiaba, Joel Kimwaki, Jean Kasusula, Given Singuluma and Aime Bakula are the surviving members of the class of 2010, that won the CAF Champions League five years ago.
Ever since, the Lubumbashi giants have come close to replicating that feat, reaching the semis in 2012 and 2014, and a runners-up medal in the second-tier Orange CAF Confederation Cup in 2013 to show for during that period.
At the same time, there have been no major changes to the squad, with few players including Ivorian Roger Assale boosting the quality of the team with their presence.
“I have 19 players who have already played the finals and semi-finals, and it cannot be overlooked,” said Carteron, who admitted that his side were emotionally superior in the first leg last Saturday in Algiers.
“My players had at heart to come and do something here (in Algiers), because in the past we were too cocky. We knew we had a good team in front, but the players showed great temperament. We will play the second leg with great tranquillity.
“We cannot make mistakes with such a score. I will still keep a watchful eye on USM Alger because they showed some good things. I know our opponent are a tough side and can create problems and we have to be wary, and that's what I have been telling my players.
We will work to complete the work we began in Algiers, and win the game.”
The bad news for Mazembe is the unavailability of veteran left-back Jean Kasusula, who fell from a motorbike upon the team’s return from Algiers, suffering a fracture on his left arm, ruling him out of action for eight weeks.
Also out is Zambian midfielder, Rainford Kalaba, who was sent off in first leg final just before the break, moments after scoring the opening with a spectacular volley that caught USM Alger goalie Mohamed Zemmamouche off guard.
Carteron will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of compatriot Diego Garzitto, who guided ‘Les Corbeaux’ to the continental title in 2009.
At stake is a 1.5 million US Dollar prize money for the winner and a ticket to the FIFA Club World Cup in December in Japan.
Ever since, the Lubumbashi giants have come close to replicating that feat, reaching the semis in 2012 and 2014, and a runners-up medal in the second-tier Orange CAF Confederation Cup in 2013 to show for during that period.
At the same time, there have been no major changes to the squad, with few players including Ivorian Roger Assale boosting the quality of the team with their presence.
“I have 19 players who have already played the finals and semi-finals, and it cannot be overlooked,” said Carteron, who admitted that his side were emotionally superior in the first leg last Saturday in Algiers.
“My players had at heart to come and do something here (in Algiers), because in the past we were too cocky. We knew we had a good team in front, but the players showed great temperament. We will play the second leg with great tranquillity.
“We cannot make mistakes with such a score. I will still keep a watchful eye on USM Alger because they showed some good things. I know our opponent are a tough side and can create problems and we have to be wary, and that's what I have been telling my players.
We will work to complete the work we began in Algiers, and win the game.”
The bad news for Mazembe is the unavailability of veteran left-back Jean Kasusula, who fell from a motorbike upon the team’s return from Algiers, suffering a fracture on his left arm, ruling him out of action for eight weeks.
Also out is Zambian midfielder, Rainford Kalaba, who was sent off in first leg final just before the break, moments after scoring the opening with a spectacular volley that caught USM Alger goalie Mohamed Zemmamouche off guard.
Carteron will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of compatriot Diego Garzitto, who guided ‘Les Corbeaux’ to the continental title in 2009.
At stake is a 1.5 million US Dollar prize money for the winner and a ticket to the FIFA Club World Cup in December in Japan.
By: Cafonline.com
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