General Manager of Samartex, Edmund Ackah, has emphasized that his team will not underestimate themselves ahead of their CAF Champions League showdown with Moroccan giants, Raja Casablanca.
Samartex, the reigning Ghana Premier League champions, advanced to this stage after defeating Cameroon’s Victoria United in the first preliminary round. Their next challenge is against the highly regarded Raja Casablanca in the second round. The first leg of this much-anticipated encounter is scheduled to take place this Sunday at the Accra Sports Stadium, with the return leg to be held in Morocco.
Speaking to the media, Ackah expressed confidence in his team’s preparations, stating they are ready for the challenge. “Preparation for Raja started right after our game against Victoria United in Accra. We’ve been in camp preparing well for them,” Ackah told Kessben FM, as reported by Footballghana.com.
He acknowledged the strength of Raja Casablanca, likening them to Ghanaian giants Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak. “Raja is a big team. It is just like Kotoko and Hearts of Oak. Samartex playing Kotoko or Hearts on any day is a David and Goliath affair, and that is how we see the Raja game.”
Despite recognizing that his team is the underdog, Ackah remained optimistic, highlighting the potential significance of an upset. “We are the underdogs because we are just three years in the Premier League. We will make names for ourselves if we beat them, but if they beat us, it’s no news. Notwithstanding, we will not underestimate ourselves against Raja. We are going all out.”
Samartex will aim to secure a positive result in the first leg, hoping to ease the pressure ahead of the return fixture in Morocco. Raja Casablanca are set to arrive in Ghana on Friday, September 13, 2024, to prepare for the crucial match on Sunday.
