Medeama Sporting Club are confident they can overcome five-time CAF Champions League winners TP Mazembe despite being handed one of the toughest possible preliminary-round ties.
The Ghana Premier League champions will host the first leg at the TnA Stadium between 4 and 6 September 2026, after being drawn against the Democratic Republic of Congo giants in the preliminary round.
Medeama’s Communications Director, Benjamin Wille Graham, said the club’s ambitions had not changed following Thursday’s draw in Cairo. While securing a place in the group stage is the immediate objective, he reiterated that the ultimate aim is to win the competition for the first time.
“If you’ve listened to my president, Mr. Moses Parker he has told you several times in the media that his dream is to win the competition this year. His hope is that we are going to go to the group stages. That is the current strategy. That is the current target for us.
“No matter the obstacle we face or the position we find ourselves in, our main target is to get to the group stages. So we just have to prepare adequately and meet the target that we have set for ourselves,” he said.
Medeama are ranked 54th in Africa, while TP Mazembe are 20th in the latest CAF rankings. Clubs would generally prefer a more manageable opponent at this stage, but Graham rejected the suggestion that the Ghanaian side had been unfortunate in the draw.
“I wouldn’t use the word luck. TP Mazembe was not ranked, same as Medeama.”
He also argued that a difficult opponent would await Medeama even if they progressed beyond the first round, making preparation more important than the identity or ranking of their opponents.
“Even if he had qualified, or perhaps we beat TP Mazembe, the next stage is also going to be a tough side. So, however you look at it, you’re still going to meet, and that’s why it is a champion league- there are surprises. It depends on your preparation. If you prepare well, you are able to meet any obstacle that you face. if we beat it, Mazembe, I’m sure it’s not going to be a big surprise,” he added.
Victory over TP Mazembe would see Medeama advance to the second preliminary round, where they would meet either Tunisia’s Club Africain or Mali’s Djoliba AC.
The tie will be a significant test for Medeama as they pursue a place in the group stage and attempt to turn their president Moses Parker’s ambition of winning the CAF Champions League into reality.
The club are currently in the Ivory Coast as part of their pre-season campaign, with preparations continuing ahead of the opening leg in September.
