Ismaily Seek First Africa Champions League Group Stage Win

Ismaily will face off with CS Constantine in the 2018/19 CAF Champions League Group C match in a scheduled to be played at the Mohamed Hamlaoui Stadium in the Algerian city of Constantine on Saturday.

Though it is crunch moment for the home side, Ismaily coach Cedomir Janevski has set his sights on achieving ‘mission possible’ as his side face the toughest test of their continental competition credentials.

Ismaily were weeks ago reinstated to the CAF Champions League after initially being thrown out of the competition for crowd trouble.

In their third match of Group C, the Egyptian side drew 1-1 with Constantine at home last weekend.

The Mango Boys currently lie at the bottom of Group C with a solitary point from three matches, six behind Constantine, who played the same number of games, and six adrift of leaders Mazembe who played four.

Any result other than a win on the road would all but end Ismaily’s hopes of reaching the knockout phase in their first Champions League appearance in eight years.

“We are going for a win, we have nothing to lose at this stage,” the team’s coach Cedomir Janevski told the pre-match news conference.

[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””] “It’s true that our opponents have the advantage of playing at home before their fans, but we will also benefit from the vibrant atmosphere which can motivate us.”   [/perfectpullquote]

Ismaily are unbeaten in their last six matches across all competitions, including their goalless draw at home against Al Gaish in the Egyptian Premier League on Tuesday.

Striker Benson Shilongo, who scored against Constantine, will look to inspire Ismaily to victory.

Constantine have problems in attack with the trio of Bahamboula, Djabout and Belkacemi all struggling for goals. They have combined four goals in their last eight matches.

Sudanese match referee El Fadil Mohamed will officiate the game between Constantine and Ismaily.