Algeria’s deputy league kings JS Kabylie have been ‘paid’ two months’ salary as motivation for their meeting with former champions of Africa Raja Casablanca.
The sides are due to do battle this Friday in a would-be fierce duel as the race to go beyond the African Champions League group stage hits up.
Making the tie more intriguing is that both are level on three points with defending champions Esperance of Tunisia topping the standings with six points in two games.
JS travel out to Morocco for the first of a double-legged affair having bitten the dust 1-0 to Esperance in their previous encounter.
Reaching the African Cup’s semis is JS Kabylie’s target and chairman Cheriff Mellal forked out some handsome bucks as match bonus to players in a bid to get them to pick a point against the Tunisians but it didn’t work out as planned.
Winning at home and picking a point way is the gaffer’s philosophy and to ensure this happens, Mellal, a club source says, has again motivated the players this time with a two months’ pay with an increased match bonus going into Friday’s must-watch affair.
The Algerian outfit’s sports director Nassim Benabdderahmane is optimistic in the run-up to the fixture.
“With the last good results recorded in the league, we will approach this Friday’s match with great optimism. We have to come back with a good result from our trip to Casablanca and that to increase our chances of qualifying for the quarter-finals,” Nassim said.
“The coach has recovered the injured players and with the mood prevailing in the group in recent days, we are optimistic about the outcome of the game. The players are hyper-motivated to achieve the best possible result and that to honour the club, its supporters and also the country. The players are put in good conditions and we all hope that they will be up to the task, “said the Sports Director.
