Striker Emmanuel Clottey scored a hat-trick as Berekum Chelsea thoroughly massacred Raja Casablanca 5-0 in the CAF Champions League 1/16th first leg tie in Berekum on Sunday. It was a game that restored Ghana’s pride in continental club football as the Moroccans were beaten pants down. Striker Emmanuel Clottey bagged a hat-trick after dribbling wizard Solomon Asante had opened the scoring in the first half. Skipper Abdul Basit had struck a spectacular drive to make it 4-0 before Clottey grabbed the fifth goal. The opening ten minutes entirely belonged to Chelsea as the diminutive Asante and Awudu Moro displayed brilliance on the flanks. Chelsea won a free kick at the edge of the box but skipper Abdul Basit’s effort went against the human wall. In the 15th minute, Gladson Awako and Solomon Asante combined well before playing through skipper Abdul Basit but the attacker fired wide. Raja did not manage a shot on target until the 20th minute mark but their first attempt at goal proved easy for Sowah. Ivorian forward Adama Bakayoko aimed a half volley at goal but Sowah collected with ease. Clottey had the goal post to blame as his well struck effort went against the right post before strolling down for the opposition goalkeeper to collect. Chelsea’s midfield continued to dominate and showed class as Raja were out-passed, out-thought and, ultimately, outclassed. The dominance yielded results on 34 minutes. Left-back Kissi Boateng weighed in a cross and Asante’s telepathy was spontaneous as he blasted a powerful left-footed drive into the top right corner. The goal brought out the best from Johannes van der Pluijm’s side as Emmanuel Clottey tried his luck at goal with a 25 yarder. Chelsea ended the half with the upper hand and upped the ante after the interval with a renewed confidence and doubled the advantage in the 47th minute. Kissi Boateng led a raid through the middle and fed Emmanuel Clottey who shimmed his marker with a breathtaking trickery before finishing off in style. Clottey’s appetite for goals soared as he stepped up to convert a penalty kick won by Abdul Basit on the 58th minute. Basit was fouled inside the box after going past his marker and Clottey produced a power shot to beat the Raja goalkeeper. Abdul Basit added his name to the score-sheet with a spectacular finish after great foot work from Awudu Moro. Mercurial midfielder Charles Asampong Taylor marked his return to continental action with a standing ovation. The former Accra Hearts of Oak star took the place of Solomon Asante, the opening goal scorer and the experienced midfielder lubricated the middle with his intelligent touches. The tie at this juncture was appearing daunting for Raja but Emmanuel Clottey raced past three defenders to finish them off and put the tie beyond the Moroccans.