Medeama coach Evans Augustine Adotey and goalkeeper Felix Kyei have been speaking to the media ahead of Friday’s CAF Champions League must-win game against Tanzanian side Young Africans at the famous Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi with the game scheduled to kick off at 4pm.

Here are every word from the gaffer and the last line of defense.

General overview (Evans Augustine Adotey)

Medeama is third on the league log with three points minus two goals. Yanga, last on the log with one point minus three goals. I’m not looking up there. The two north African teams will fight against each other. The standings on the league log speaks volumes about the need to prepare and sit up because at the tail end, two teams will qualify to the next round. Preparation is ongoing. I’ve absolute respect for Yanga. Yanga is a team I’ve met and played them before in 2016 if my memory serves me right. Encountering them this time around, I’ve observed them. They are a very good side I must say and so the pitch will decide. But for me, I just have to prepare well and ensure by the close of the day, I’m up.

On conceding against every opposition vis -a -vis a side which scores away from home.

Yanga is not coming here for the sake of it. They are here for a purpose and that purpose is to ensure victory. So, like I said, I know Yanga! They are a very good side; I respect them and I will not underrate any opposition. Whether we concede, whether we don’t concede, we’ll give off our best. We’ve been conceding in recent games. I conceded a goal at my own backyard against Berekum Chelsea, same against Asante Kotoko, against Al Ahly and then CR Belouizdad.
So far, we’ve worked on creating depth in defence in making sure we don’t concede this time around. Working on defensive, you still have to think forward. We want to win the game and so as I’m saying, we’re facing a good side, I will not underrate my opposition. We just have to map out strategy to make sure we carry the day. It is the player’s who are going to be on the field. They will have to prove to the whole nation what they also have under their sleeves.

Return of Jonathan Sowah

Jonathan Sowah missed our match against the Algerian due to suspension that kept him out of the match. I’m 100% sure he will be in the start-list against Yanga tomorrow. So, let’s hope Jonathan can deliver. Whilst he will be replacing another colleague, he has to prove his worth and prove to the nation why he has to take his place in the starting list.

Information on Yanga.

It’s the responsibility of every coach to get a tip of any opposition. In games of this nature, you need to know the strength and weakness of every opponents. My mission is to win so it’s important to research and find antidote to every situation. I am not here to tell the media the plans I have. I said earlier that it’s going to be a tricky duel but all that I want to see is to see Medeama bag the three points.

Injury situation at the club

On the injury situation, apart from Fatawu who was given two weeks to rest by the team doctor, everyone is set for the game tomorrow.

Kudakwashe Mahachi potential involvement against Yanga

Mahachi has been part of the team from the two games played except that he is on the bench. And I am not here to change my winning team. I must confess. The only change is Sowah replacing one of the attackers in the team. Mahachi is still on the list but will start from the bench.

Players reaction when closer to the coach on the touchline.

As a coach on the bench, you see me shouting, screaming and talking, that is not how coaches behave at the sideline. Because the moment you start shouting, screaming and talking it can be disruptive. I shout or talk mostly based on a particular issue. As a coach when you see something going wrong, definitely you will communicate with your players. Maybe it happened at Al Ahly, but we need to be calm and allow the players to do the job on the pitch.

Disadvantage of not playing competitive game prior to this fixture

No!! They are in competition so are we. Yanga playing is playing in their league but we are off the league, just be patient and let’s wait for tomorrow, we’ll see the results.

Over for Medeama if team fail to win tomorrow

I will not accept the word fail. No! I will not accept it. I’ve spoken already. My mission tomorrow is to ensure victory and I don’t want to listen to the word fail! No, I will not fail! I am a winner! I want to win tomorrow. Yanga is a very good side; I know but I don’t want to listen to the word fail! Let’s see what happens tomorrow.

Felix Kyei

On Conceding goals

As a goalkeeper, you need to keep a clean sheet. Each and every game, I want to keep a clean sheet but the game decides sometimes. In some instances, we’re unable to keep clean sheet due to one or two mistakes. Tomorrow, I am not promising a clean sheet but we are going to give off our best to take the three maximum points.

On accurate passing
We are working on it. We are not going to give up. We are still keeping our head forward

On fans
Last week, the fans did well. Because of them it motivated us a lot and we are appealing to them to come out in their numbers to support us like they did last week.