CAF Confederation Cup - ASEC's Kouamé: "It will be an open game"
Scorer of 4 goals in the CAF Confederation Cup, Aubin Kramo Kouamé believes ASEC can reach the semi-finals at Monastir's expense.
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With no approved stadium in Abidjan, ASEC will host US Monastir in Bouaké…
Aubin Kramo Kouamé: We would of course have preferred to play in Abidjan, where most of our supporters are. But we have fans in Bouaké too. I know there was an information campaign a week before this game to encourage people to come to the stadium. I think it will be well filled. We arrived in Bouaké on Wednesday to get used to a stadium and a pitch we don't know.
Is the draw you picked up a good result?
It's a very good result. We didn't concede away from home, against a very good side. We played a disciplined game and kept our chances of qualifying alive with that draw. Now we have to back it up in Bouaké and put in a very good performance to have a chance of reaching the semi-finals.
Are you expecting a tight game?
No, quite the opposite. I think it will be an open game, with chances and goals. We are not a defensive side. We like to attack. And Monastir are also a team that attacks. A semi-final place is at stake, and one team or the other will have to score.
"I don't want to think about next season"
Did you do a particular week of preparation?
Aubin Kramo Kouamé: No, we came back from Tunis on Monday evening and arrived in Bouaké on Wednesday. We are working as normal. We trust our coach Julien Chevalier, who is doing a very good job, and his technical staff. We are very focused, because we know nothing is done and that we will need to be at 100% if we want to qualify.
Is there any fatigue at this stage of the season?
We play a lot, whether in the CAF Confederation Cup, the league or the Cup. Personally, I feel very good. There is a very interesting end to the season to play. If we qualify for the semi-finals, we won't rule anything out. We will go for the title, like the other semi-finalists. We are top of the league and still in the Ivorian Cup.
You are having a good season personally. Are you thinking about your future?
I've scored 4 goals in the CAF Confederation Cup, 5 more in the league and provided 5 assists. I hope to score or set up more goals this season to help the team win trophies. My contract runs out at the end of the season, but I don't want to think about next season. We'll see in due course…
On the same subject: CAF Confederation Cup: frustrating draw between ASEC and Monastir
Interview by Alexis Billebault