The 14th of February ,2016 will have the champions of the Ghana Premier League AshantiGold SC lock horns with Algerian club MO Bejaia for a slot in the next round of the preliminary stages of the CAF Champions League.
This is going to be the first of a two-legged cup tie and this is definitely going to be an opportunity for both sides to test their validity on the African Continent.
MO Bejaia is a team yet to make grounds as far as any continental competition is concerned and the Obuasi-based side will also have to show their potency after their absence for close to two decades in a continental competition. There has been a lot of hullabaloo and wranglings concerning how prepared AshantiGold SC are for this very fixture as the start of the Ghana Premier League has delayed due to a number of reasons. In this article, we look at the other side of the battle where we have the Algerian side MO Bejaia. Here are 5 things to know about the opponents of MO Bejaia
They are wounded Lions
One interesting thing fact is that both teams head into this clash at the back of games which did not go in favor of the respective clubs. Ashanti Gold lost to the Ghana FA Cup winners in the super cup which was the curtain raiser to the upcoming or rather pending Ghana Premier League. MO Bedjaia dropped from the 3rd to 4th position on the league log after losing 1-0 to SC Constastine over this past weekend on Friday. We do know that wounded lions always come with wrath anytime they go into battle and the ongoing Algerian league campaign has MO Bejaia exhibiting that character of responding to a defeat.
In game-week 14 of the Algerian premier League MO Bedjia lost by a loan goal to MC Alger. MO Bejaia beat NA Hussein Dey 3-1 and went on to be undefeated in 4 game-weeks until the recent loss to SC Constantine in week 19. However, MO Bejaia drew to the champions ES Setif in the midweek after the loss to SC Constatine. This should definitely be a sign of warning to AshGold SC as MO Bejaia will be certainly in to redeem themselves to the disappointed fans back home who are eager to see their beloved clubs back to winning ways at the Len Clay Sports Stadium cum the 14th of February.
Bedjaia are cup winners
MO Bejaia are the current holders of the Algerian Cup. This side were able to have that tenacity and fortitude in order to dispose of various clubs from the round of 64 through to the final where they beat RC Arbaa to be finally crowned the Cup winners
MO Bejaia road to winning the Algerian Cup:
Round of 64
MO Bejaia -JS SOURA 1-1
(Bejaia progress 4-3 on penalties)
Round of 32
CA Batna- MO Bejaia 0-1
Round of 16
MC ORAN-MO Bejaia 0-0
(Bejaia progress 4-1 on penalties)
Quarter finals
ASM ORAN-MO Bejaia 2-2
(Bedjaia progress 6-5 on penalties)
Semi-finals
ES Setif-MO Bejaia 1-1
(Bedjia progress 6-5 on penalties)
Finals
MO Bejaia- RC Arbaa 1-0
This is a clear indicator that MO Bejaia have whatever it takes to triumph in a cup competition and when the going got tough in the away games they were able to hold their opponents to a draw and win on penalties . It will thereby be earnest for AshGold to win the home game at all cost by an impressive margin in order to avoid penalties which seems to be the stronghold of the Algerian Club.
MO Bejaia are a strong away side
The 2014/2015 Algerian Ligue 1 ended with MO Bejaia in 2nd place to the champions ES Setif a point short. This very feat was achieved by MO Bejia mostly through their away games. MO Bejia accrued 47 points out of 30 matches. 20 out of the 47 points were acquired in their 15 away games with 5wins ,5 draws and 5 loses. This shows that AshGold SC will have to be weary as the MO Bejaia will not be a pushover although the Algerians are the visitors.
There is a marksman to look out for
The 2015/2016 season in the Algerian League started with the signing of a Senegalese striker Mouhammed Waliou Ndoye. The Algerians signed Ndoye from Senegalese side Stade de Mbour on the 15 of July,2015 for 150000 euros to add some essential fire power to the side. Ndoye has scored 7 out 16 appearances on all competitions so far in the season. It might be impressive or disappointing which depends on how you look at it especially looking at the fact that it might take time to settle in a league in another sub region. Nevertheless, the Senegalese is sure to pose an attacking threat to the opposing defense in any game whatsoever. AshGold’s defense should keep tabs on Ndoye to make sure the source of goals for their Algerian opponents is minimal. Ndoye picked up an injury against ES Setif and the degree of this injury is yet to be known but since this is a two-legged tie he might be back to hurt the Obuasi lads in the second leg in Algeria supposing he misses the first leg at Len-Clay Sports Stadium,Obuasi.
They are the crabs
MO Bejaia was established in 1954 with the full name Mouladia Olympique de Bejaia. The home ground of the side is Stade de L’Unite Maghrebine in Bejaia,Algeria. The team are also popularly known as the crabs and as a matter of fact there is a crab embossed in their colorful green and black emblem which happen to be the traditional colors of the side. The Algerian side are team which means business as they finished 2nd in the Algerian Ligue 1 in the 2014/2015 season. The form of the side has never dipped as they are currently lie in 3rd position on the league table after the draw to ES Setif. This is certainly to show this is a strong side and cannot be taken lightly by any opponent especially Ashgold. AshantiGold SC should go into this game with their all to win this match.
This is how we end our view on Mouladia Olympique de Bejaia. Ghanafans will certainly look to wish AshantiGold SC goodluck in the tie. It is set to be a nerve-racking and eventful beginning in the journey towards continental cup success for both clubs. Those of us who would watch the game in the stadium,television or social media will have no option but see how the story unfolds as these two sides battle on Valentine’s Day. Can any of us imagine fighting on a day of love?
By Kweku Anno Kumi