Appiah seeks Power Dynamos scalp on road to redemption

Power Dynamos's Zambian defender Alex Mwamba (left) shields the ball from Sofapaka's Kenyan midfielder Ekaliani Ndolo during their friendly match February 4, 2015 at Nyayo Stadium. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |

What you need to know:

  • The slightly-built, reserved 54-year-old will be in Zambia with Sudanese side Al-Khartoum seeking a CAF Confederation Cup last-32 place.
  • Appiah guided the 'Black Stars' to fourth at the 2013 Cup of Nations — a placing many African countries would happily accept.

JOHANNESBURG

Ghanaian Kwesi Appiah continues this weekend a journey to re-establish himself as a leading African football coach.

The slightly-built, reserved 54-year-old will be in Zambia with Sudanese side Al-Khartoum seeking a CAF Confederation Cup last-32 place.

Bankrolled by the Sudanese military, Khartoum hold a precarious 1-0 lead over Power Dynamos following the mid-February first leg.

Niger striker and experienced African campaigner Kamilou Daouda was the match-winner, striking midway through the opening half.

While a draw will give the visitors an aggregate victory, the pre-match rallying cry from Appiah is going to be: attack, attack, attack.

"We cannot defend," insists Appiah ahead of the preliminary-round, second-leg match at Arthur Davies Stadium in central copper city Kitwe.

"Scoring an early goal can make our mission easier. Power Dynamos are a good side and it would be suicidal to retreat and let them come at us."

The African football jury is out on Appiah after mixed results as Ghana coach having been assistant to several foreign handlers.

He guided the 'Black Stars' to fourth at the 2013 Cup of Nations — a placing many African countries would happily accept.

But four-time African champions Ghana crave glory having last conquered the continent 33 years ago.

Appiah carried on and enjoyed his finest hour when a 6-1 drubbing of record seven-time African champions Egypt set up a 2014 World Cup place.

Out of character for a man of few words, Appiah boasted that Ghana would go further than at the 2010 World Cup, meaning at least the semi-finals.

But grouped with Germany, Portugal and the United States, the 'Black Stars' garnered a solitary point, ironically against a German side that went on to lift the trophy.

INDISCIPLINE

Then there was the acute embarrassment of sending home two Ghanaian stars for ill-discipline while threats of a bonus-related boycott forced the government to fly millions of dollars to Brazil.

Critics claimed Appiah was weak when confronted with Europe-based stars and he parted ways with Ghana early in the 2015 Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Appiah has two objectives with Khartoum — end the decades-old Hilal-Merrikh Sudanese Super League monopoly, and make an impression in Africa.

Eliminating Power Dynamos, whose 1991 African Cup Winners Cup title is the lone Zambian success in CAF club competitions, would likely create a last-32 showdown with Mounana.

The Gabonese take a 5-0 lead over Polisi to Indian Ocean island Zanzibar after sharing with Libyans Al-Ittihad the biggest first-leg winning margin.

Ghanaians Hearts of Oak, winners of the first Confederation Cup 11 years ago, visit Benin holding a 1-0 lead over Police.

And Nigerians Dolphins, runners-up in the 2005 Confederation Cup, must overcome a 1-0 deficit when they host Equatoguineans Leones Vegetarianos.

Tanzanians Young Africans travel to Botswana with a 2-0 advantage over BDF while Kenyans Sofapaka are up against it in Zimbabwe having fallen 2-1 at home to Platinum.