Goal.com

The debutants are proving their critics wrong and after making inroads in their last two games in the ongoing Caf Champions League, Goal.com Ghana examines their strengths

ANALYSIS
By Joshua Ansah

Berekum Chelsea have managed an impressive four points out of a possible six after the draw against TP Mazembe in the Caf Champions League on Sunday.

The debutants have really set themselves up for a successful tournament in a group where many expected them to be the pushovers. The Blues were vulnerable at times, despite coming from behind against Zamalek and The Ravens to pull off surprises.

Goal.com Ghana takes a look at five elements that they need to consider in order to progress to the final of the continental club championship.

5. RESOLVE STADIUM ISSUE

Home form is absolutely crucial in every competition and the atmosphere at home grounds could be crucial to their performance. The Ohene Djan Sports Stadium was where they hosted the northern Africans but the Berekum Golden City Park is their home and Chelsea should do all in their power to ensure they get to play their remaining home games at the venue.

The intimidating atmosphere at the Golden City Park for the Blues home games was not replicated during the game against Zamalek and coach Hans Van Der Plyum's charges will be hoping Al Ahly and TP Mazembe are able to use the rocking grounds rather than the Accra Sports Stadium if they are to progress from this group.

4. BE MORE INCISIVE & CLINICAL

This is one of the two areas where Berekum Chelsea can take a cue from the School of Art. Zamalek had very few clear cut chances in the game against the west Africans and very little possession, but the Egyptians used it as efficiently as they could. They scored twice and went close a number of times even though their opponents hogged the majority of the possession. The Blues did something similar against Les Corbeaux.

Even though they had much of the ball against Zamalek, they seemed to need a great deal of it to create chances and had problems finishing most of the opportunities. Their midfielders resorted to pot shots from distance at the smallest of resistance from the Zamalek defence.

3. EMMANUEL CLOTTEY NEEDS AN AWAY PARTNER

It may sound strange, considering the fact that teams are likely to stick to one man up front and play on the counter in many away games, but Emmanuel Clottey, despite his ability, is not suited as a target man. He would be more comfortable playing off a target man in the same manner as Zamalek used Abdoulaye Cisse. Chelsea need a figurehead in attack - one who is easily available in the middle and ready for the long ball from defence, ready to hold it up and bring others into play. The 24-year-old does not do that.

He runs into channels and is more comfortable with the ball at his feet, preferring to run at defenders instead of battling them for the ball epitomised by his second strike against TP Mazembe. If the Berekum Boys are to utilise this system to good effect on their travels, then the former Tema Youth player will be best served playing off the target man running into channels and arriving late in the box to cause mayhem.

2. PATCH UP THE LEAKY DEFENCE

Before Berekum Chelsea faced Zamalek, coach Hassan Shehata had hinted that the defence of the Blues needed some repair works and would be their Achilles’ Heel, and his prediction almost turned out to be true, but for some determined attacking play. The Blues’ defence was once more at a loss against TP Mazembe on Sunday and conceded another two goals. If the debutants are going to really compete they will have to shore up their defensive performances.

The School of Art allowed them to control the game while The Ravens became complacent. Very few teams will allow the Berekum Boys to dominate the game as much as Zamalek did, which will mean their defence will probably be under more scrutiny and gifts like the ones handed out to the Cairo-based club and the Lubumbashi team may end their campaign if they cannot change their defensive frailty.

1. KEEP THE FIGHTING SPIRIT

Berekum Chelsea have been trailing by a goal in their last three games in the Caf Champions League.

They have been down by two goals once, but have not lost any of their last three games, winning against Asante Kotoko and Zamalek (where they trailed by a goal at two different points in the game) and drawing against TP Mazembe who had a two-goal lead at half time.

The fighting spirit they exhibited in these games will serve them well in the tournament if they keep it up because teams tend to jitter late in games against opponents famed for their strong fighting spirit and late comebacks, reminiscent of Manchester United in England.