Accra, Aug. 14, GNA – Ghanaian Club side Berekum Chelsea will be without their defensive duo of Eric Agyemang and Richard Kissi Boateng for this weekend’s CAF Champions League clash against Al-Ahly of Egypt in Accra.
The two players are suspended for the must-win encounter billed for the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday, August 19, after an unsuccessful bid to switch the venue to the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi failed.
Information gathered by GNA Sports has it that Agyemang was booked in the reverse fixture in Cairo two weeks ago, which rules him out of the crucial game whilst Kissi Boateng was sent off just before half time for two yellow card offences in the same game.
The absence of the two key players will add to the woes of Berekum Chelsea Head Coach, Johannes Van der Pluijm since his team’s back line has come under several criticism at the group phase of the CAF Champions League.
It will be the second time Agyemang, the first choice right-back is suspended in the Club’s campaign after sitting out of the trip to Casablanca to face Raja Athletic Club of Morocco at the knockout stage.
Meanwhile, Ahly, six-time winners of the premier African Club Championship will also be without Brazilian-forward Fabio Junior, due to injury.
But the good news for the Red Devils is the availability of influential trio; Mohamed Aboutreika, Emad Moteab and Ahmed Fathy, who missed the reverse fixture due to engagements with the Egyptian Olympic team at the recent London 2012 Olympic Games.
Ahly are expected to arrive in Accra at mid-day on Thursday, August 16 for the Day four Group B clash.
At least a point will be enough to see the Egyptians through to the semi finals whilst Berekum Chelsea needs nothing short of victory to boost their chances of advancing to the next round.
Ahly leads the pack with the maximum nine points, TP Mazembe of DR Dongo and Berekum Chelsea follow in that order on four points apiece with five-time winners Zamalek at the depth of the standings pointless.
Berekum Chelsea lost the first leg 4-1, marking their heaviest defeat in their campaign.