Algerian outfit CS Constantine will host Rwanda's Police FC at Stade Mohammed Hamalaoui on Saturday, August 17 in the 2024/25 CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round.
The game will be keenly contested as both teams eye a place in the next round of the competition, and ultimately make it to the coveted group stages of the tournament.
It is the second time that Police FC is featuring at the CAF Confederation Cup after making their debut appearance in 2013.
Police’s first appearance at the competition did not go well for them as they were eliminated in the first preliminary round.
As the team tries its luck again, Times Sport takes a look at five things it should do to get the needed results against CS Constantine.
1. Pay attention to Tosin Omoyele
The 28-year old Nigerian striker joined CS Constantine in the ongoing transfer window after netting 9 league goals in 28 games for USM Khenchela.
The former Plateau and Enyimba FC striker is a great attacker with incredible pace and physique. On a good day, he is a nightmare for defenders.
The Police FC centre backs especially Issah Yakubu should do man-marking in order to stop Omoyele from having a great day against them.
2. Issah Yakubu and Muhadjiri Hakizimana should make use of their experience
Yakubu has good confederations cup experience, having reached the quarter finals of the competition during the 2023/24 season when he was a player for Stade Malien.
The centre-back knows a lot about the competition. In addition to this, his Rwandan teammate Hakizimana has also featured in the competition with AS Kigali a couple of times. The two players can use this experience to play a role in their team’s fight for good results.
Playing in away games in African club competitions is tough. You should have a strong mental fortitude to get the needed results. In case the going gets tough for Police, Yakubu and Hakizimana who know the terrain should be able to stand up and motivate their colleagues.
3. Cut CS Constantine’s activities on the wings
Typical of north African sides, CS Constantine are more effective on the wings. They play Dadi Mouaki and Abdelkader Kaibou on both flanks, a pair that can do much damage in attack.
The two wingers can whip in dangerous crosses for Constantine’s strikers to score in the box.
Police FC’s lateral defenders should be careful when overlapping, otherwise they will be caught off guard.
The law enforcers’ head coach Vincent Mashami must be able to cut CS Constantine off from the wings and force them into the midfield where Police have the strong legs of Djibrine Abubakar, Abedi Bigirimana, Eric Nsabimana and Muhadjiri Hakizimana who can over power them.
4. Play the whistle
The game will be played at the 25,000 capacity Stade Mohammed Hamalaoui which is the home ground of CS Constantine and MO Constantine.
The edifice was officially opened on 5 July 1973.
It is an intimidating venue and it is always filled to capacity with deafening noise. The Police FC players should be attentive, play to the whistle and should avoid rampant complaints to the referee. They should just allow the captain to talk to the referee so as not to attract unnecessary bookings.
5. Police FC attackers must be clinical
Coach Vincent Mashami is expected to stick with the same line-up he used against APR in the Super Cup with Elijah Ani as the arrow head, while Muhadjiri Hakizimana will be just behind him.
The duo must complement each other, because together they can cause havoc. Hakizimana must endeavor to stop unnecessary ball antics and release the ball to Ani early to finish off.