With a goal away from equaling the record number of goals scored by an individual in the African Champions League, one might think that the very least Emmanuel Clottey could be dreading is the pressure.
The Berekum Chelsea striker who has romped in 12 goals in this year's competition, could break the four-year record of 13 goals accomplished in 2008 by Stephen Worgu for Enyimba if he scores against Al-Ahly at home on Saturday in their in Group B clash.
Clottey admits that the pressure is on for him to set a new record in the continental club competition.
“I have a lot of pressure on me but as a footballer, it’s our job so when you are about to go onto the field, you have to cool down and do what you want. I know God is going to help me to break that record,” Clottey said as he turned his sights on the weekend's match after playing for the Black Stars in Wednesday's friendly against China.
Clottey, who took his goal tally to 12 Chelsea's 4-1 defeat to Al-Ahly on in Cairo is confident the Berekum side can turn around their campaign at home.
“That’s football,” he said. “It’s first leg and second-leg. It means we have to learn from our mistakes and pay them back.”
The defeat, the first for the Ghanaian side in their tournament debut, has seen them slip to third in on the standings as they chase a semi-final place.
But Clottey is optimistic about their chance when they welcome Ahly to the Accra Sports Stadium on Saturday.
“When we went there, the referee was not on our side, they did a lot of things to frustrate us. We managed but didn’t succeed. But I think in Ghana, we are going to succeed.”
The remaining three matches in the group stages will be key to deciding the two teams who progress to the last-four stage.