Al-Merreikh winger Abu Bakr Bashir Bangoura has backed his side to overturn their first-leg defeat by Horoya AC and secure a place in the group stage of the CAF Champions League.
The Sudanese club lost 1-0 to the Guinean side at the September 28 Stadium, leaving them needing a strong response in Saturday’s return fixture in Kigali, Rwanda.
Bangoura remains confident that Al-Merreikh can recover from the setback, insisting that the tie is far from over and that his team still has a realistic chance of progressing to the next round.
The attacker has also called on the club’s supporters to continue believing in the team as they prepare for what promises to be a decisive encounter.
Bangoura sends message to Al-Merreikh supporters
The winger shared a message on his personal Facebook page, urging fans to remain confident ahead of the return leg, which will take place at Amahoro Stadium in Kigali, Al-Merreikh’s adopted home ground.
Bangoura wrote: “It’s halfway through, be confident, anything is possible, we will do it and qualify,”
His message reflected his belief that the team can overcome the one-goal deficit and achieve its objective of reaching the Champions League group stage.
Despite the disappointment of the first-leg result, Bangoura stressed that Al-Merreikh’s campaign remains alive, with the return fixture offering them an opportunity to turn the contest around.
The Guinean-born player has become an important figure in the Al-Merreikh squad under head coach Darko Novic. Known among the club’s supporters as “The Inspector General”, he has earned recognition for his technical ability and distinctive style of play.
His performances have made him one of the players fans will look to for inspiration as the Sudanese side attempts to overturn the deficit against Horoya.
Bangoura thanks Guinean fans after first-leg encounter
Bangoura also expressed his appreciation to supporters in Guinea for the warm reception they gave him following his arrival in the country for the first leg.
The Al-Merreikh winger thanked the fans for the attention and welcome they showed him, explaining that he had been unable to exchange greetings with them after the match.
His message of gratitude came despite his side’s defeat, with the player acknowledging the support he received from fans in his home country.
Attention has now shifted to Saturday’s return encounter, where Al-Merreikh will attempt to make their advantage in playing at their adopted home ground count.
The Sudanese league champions are preparing for the match with the aim of reversing the result from the first leg and keeping their continental campaign on track.
For Novic and his players, reaching the group stage remains a major objective set by the club’s management. However, they must first find a way past a Horoya side that holds a narrow advantage following the opening match.
Al-Merreikh will need to produce a stronger performance in Kigali if they are to fulfil that ambition.
Bangoura’s public declaration of confidence has offered supporters encouragement ahead of the encounter, but the outcome will ultimately depend on the team’s performance on the pitch when the two sides meet again on Saturday, 24 October.
