Berekum Chelsea team flying high in Caf Champions League

By Ameenu Shardow

Berekum Chelsea are expected to receive a thunderous welcome upon their return to Ghana on Tuesday afternoon.

The 2010 Premier League champions have restored the nation’s pride with their impressive showing in this year’s Caf Champions League.

The Berekum-based side led by their lethal striker Emmanuel Clottey claimed a famous 2-2 draw in Lubumbashi against TP Mazembe on Sunday.

Their win over The Ravens is even more apparent since they were 2-0 down within the first 30 minutes of the game.

However just like the Phoenix, The Blues emerged from the ashes to redeem a point to retain their unbeaten record at the group stage of the competition.

This result comes off the heel of yet another spirited display in the opening Group B game where they twice came from behind to beat Egyptian giants Zamalek 3-2 at the Accra Sports Stadium a few weeks ago.

Chelsea’s performance in the continent’s flagship club competition has resurrected the good feeling amongst Ghanaians with respect to club football which appeared dead following a string of unimpressive performances from their predecessors; Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko in the competition.

Hearts’ last performance in the Champions League ended without them being able to register a goal while Kotoko suffered a 4-0 humiliation within 16 minutes in one of the games against Al Ahly.

Chelsea’s growing success and reputation has however ‘brainwashed’ many of the heartaches felt before by Ghanaian teams in the competition.

They are now second in the group with four points, two less than leaders Al Ahly.

Chelsea are expected to touchdown to a huge cheering crowd at the Kotoko International Airport at 12pm local time.