A home defeat in the first leg final of a competition such as the CAF Champions League is huge blow to any side, but USM Alger goalkeeper Mohamed Zemmamouche is hoping for a turnaround in Sunday’s return against TP Mazembe in Lubumbashi.
The Algiers based club succumbed to a 2-1 loss at the Omar Hamadi Stadium last Saturday, making it a tall mountain for them in the second leg at the weekend.
The Algiers based club succumbed to a 2-1 loss at the Omar Hamadi Stadium last Saturday, making it a tall mountain for them in the second leg at the weekend.
Zambian Rainford Kalaba and Tanzanian sensation, Mbwana Samatta scored in either half before Mohamed Seguer reduced the deficit in the closing stages, in a game that saw both sides finish with ten men each.
Kalaba was sent off just before the break and Hocine El Orfi, going for a quicker shower after a second yellow card on 67 minutes.
“Our mission will be very complicated, but we also have the means to achieve a positive result. We have been unable to do in Algiers, but will try to redeem ourselves in Lubumbashi. We have only lost a battle,” said the 30-year old shot-stopper.
Zemmamouche emerged as one of the best players in the USM Alger set up during the defeat in the first leg, and was singled out for a standing ovation by the ‘Reds and Black’ army of supporters, for the timely saves that kept the scoreline within reach.
The goalie and his colleagues will take inspiration from the performance of the last Algerian side that visited the TP Mazembe Stadium - holders ES Setif in 2009. Despite a 3-2 loss, Setif advanced to the final on away goals after a 4-4 tie on aggregate, where they beat another DR Congo side, AS Vita also via away goals after a 3-3 tie to lift the title.
“TP Mazembe is a great club and no one can deny that fact. We played against an opponent with more experience players than us. The goal we conceded only worsened our situation.
“We tried to catch up, but it was not easy for us. We did our best to defend our colours. We still have a game left in Lubumbashi and we will play with all our strength to make amends,” he added.
The contribution of the experienced goalie cannot be underestimated having featured in 13 games, amassing a total of 1170 minutes of playing time, a record of he shares with Mazembe’s Mali-born defender Salif Coulibaly.
USMA are eyeing their first ever continental silverware whilst Mazembe are seeking to take their tally to five.
Kalaba was sent off just before the break and Hocine El Orfi, going for a quicker shower after a second yellow card on 67 minutes.
“Our mission will be very complicated, but we also have the means to achieve a positive result. We have been unable to do in Algiers, but will try to redeem ourselves in Lubumbashi. We have only lost a battle,” said the 30-year old shot-stopper.
Zemmamouche emerged as one of the best players in the USM Alger set up during the defeat in the first leg, and was singled out for a standing ovation by the ‘Reds and Black’ army of supporters, for the timely saves that kept the scoreline within reach.
The goalie and his colleagues will take inspiration from the performance of the last Algerian side that visited the TP Mazembe Stadium - holders ES Setif in 2009. Despite a 3-2 loss, Setif advanced to the final on away goals after a 4-4 tie on aggregate, where they beat another DR Congo side, AS Vita also via away goals after a 3-3 tie to lift the title.
“TP Mazembe is a great club and no one can deny that fact. We played against an opponent with more experience players than us. The goal we conceded only worsened our situation.
“We tried to catch up, but it was not easy for us. We did our best to defend our colours. We still have a game left in Lubumbashi and we will play with all our strength to make amends,” he added.
The contribution of the experienced goalie cannot be underestimated having featured in 13 games, amassing a total of 1170 minutes of playing time, a record of he shares with Mazembe’s Mali-born defender Salif Coulibaly.
USMA are eyeing their first ever continental silverware whilst Mazembe are seeking to take their tally to five.
By: Cafonline.com
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