Medeama SC head coach Ibrahim Arnyas Tanko is confident his side can carry the momentum from their Champions of Champions triumph into their CAF Champions League clash with TP Mazembe.
The Mauve and Yellow began the new campaign on a positive note by defeating FA Cup winners Nations FC 2-0 at the TnA Stadium to lift the Champions of Champions trophy.
Fatawu Sulemana gave Medeama the advantage from the penalty spot before Emmanuel Annor sealed the victory with a second-half strike.
Despite the comfortable scoreline, Tanko acknowledged the difficulty of the contest, particularly against a Nations FC side he considers one of the strong teams in the domestic game.
According to the Medeama boss, his players had to produce an exceptional performance to overcome their opponents.
“It’s not easy because Nations FC are a very good team regardless of the league they are playing. They have experienced players among themselves, so we had to overperform and do much more before we could win,” Tanko said after the match.
The former Borussia Dortmund player believes the trophy success has come at an important time, with Medeama preparing for their return to continental football.
Tanko says his immediate objective against TP Mazembe is clear: secure a first-leg victory while keeping a clean sheet.
“The approach against TP Mazembe is to win and without conceding. Definitely, we will prepare very well. They are a very big club, but I hope the confidence will come after today’s win. We’re going for the win, definitely,” he added.
Medeama will now shift their focus to one of Africa’s most decorated clubs, TP Mazembe, with the two sides set to meet this weekend in the first leg of the CAF Champions League preliminary round.
The Ghanaian champions will be hoping their domestic success provides the confidence needed to make a strong start to their continental campaign.