Samartex forward Mohammed Alhassan Mankuyeli has expressed confidence in his team’s readiness for their upcoming CAF Champions League preliminary round match against Victoria United.
The Timber Giants are gearing up for their debut in Africa’s premier club competition after clinching the Ghana Premier League title, overtaking Medeama. Samartex will first face Victoria United in Cameroon on August 18, with the return leg scheduled for August 25, 2024, at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Over the weekend, Samartex played a challenging friendly against ASKO de Kara from Togo, ending in a thrilling goalless draw at Stade De Kegue.
Mankuyeli, who recently transferred from Real Tamale United, emphasized the significance of the friendly. “It was really an important game for us. We needed that test and you could see that there is a lot of work ahead of us. Going into the Champions League, I will say it isn’t an easy task but with this test against ASKO de Kara, I think we are well prepared for Victoria United,” he noted.
Samartex aims to make a significant impact in their inaugural CAF Champions League campaign. The winner of their tie against Victoria United will advance to the second preliminary round, where they could potentially face Moroccan giants Raja Club Athletic for a spot in the group stages.