Berekum Chelsea are prepared for the challenge in the mini-league of the CAF Champions League despite being paired against three former champions.
The Ghanaian representatives, who are making their first appearance in the competition this season are in Group B with TP Mazembe, Al Ahly and Zamalek, all former champions of the continent's flagship club competition.
But their Dutch coach Hans Van der Plyum insists his will be ready for the tough battles on the road when the competition returns in July.
"They are all former champions and therefore we have a lot of respect for them, but we all got to this stage on merit and so we’ll see how it goes,” Plyum said following Tuesday's draw in Cairo.
“We have to believe in ourselves that nothing is impossible and so we’re not going to be pushovers."
“Big names don’t play football these days and so we’ll give it our best shot. Many people ruled out our chances against Cotonsport but we all saw what happened," he added.
Chelsea begin their push for a place in the semi-finals when they host the opening group match against Zamalek at the Golden City Park on Sunday July 7 before traveling to Lubumbashi to face TP Mazembe on July 21.
They will complete the first round with an away fixture against six-time winners Al Ahly in Cairo on August 3.
Van der Plyum's side will play Al Ahly on August 19 in the reverse game in the second round before meeting Zamalek on August 31 in Cairo.
And they will conclude their the group campaign against Mazembe at home on September 16.
For Van der Plyum, qualifying past established sides like Raja Casablanca and Cameroon's Cotonsport is indicative of their pedigree.
“So I believe anything is possible in such competitions. We know we’re a small club, but we have the men to rub shoulders with them,” Van der Plyum said.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
Latest Stories
-
Beijing seizes tiny sandbank in South China Sea
47 minutes -
South Africa will defend sovereignty, ANC chair says as tensions with US grow
56 minutes -
GPL 2024/25: Kamaradini Mamudu scores twice in Medeama win over Young Apostles
1 hour -
GPL 2024/25: Opoku scores as Kotoko beat Aduana FC to end winless run
1 hour -
Liverpool thrash Tottenham to clinch Premier League title
2 hours -
Vision FC secure deserved win over Bibiani Gold Stars
2 hours -
Support for military intervention grows among Ghanaians – Afrobarometer reveals
2 hours -
GPL 2024/25: Accra Lions boost relegation fight with win over Bechem
3 hours -
“Rethink and decolonise education systems” -African nations urged
3 hours -
Ghana will face fiscal challenges if it ends IMF programme in 2026 – Bokpin
4 hours -
Dynaspace hosts entrepreneurs, executives to boost business growth
4 hours -
Bloggers Association launches national program to boost digital skills
4 hours -
The Kuenyehia Prize for Contemporary Art debuts in Lagos
4 hours -
ECOWAS Court requires proof of human rights violations for admissibility – Justice Asante
4 hours -
Ghanaian MP moderates World Bank Group’s Global Young Members of Parliament Session at 2025 Spring Meeting in Washington DC
5 hours