Razak Abalora, a former goalie for Kumasi Asante Kotoko, has already kept a clean sheet four times in Champions League contests since joining the Moldavan club.
In the second round of UEFA Champions League qualifications, FC Sheriff Tiraspol of Moldova defeated Bosnian powerhouse Zrinjski by a score of 1-0 while Abalora was in the goal post.
Additionally, Sheriff Tiraspol defeated Maribor 1-0 in the return leg to secure the last available spot, on July 20, 2020, at Maribor’s Ljudski vrt stadium, they played to a score of 0-0.
Momo Yansané, a professional footballer from Guinea, gave the Moldavan giants the lead and the game’s lone home goal in the 88th minute of play.
Before the game against Maribor at home, the hosts were yet to concede a goal in 2022-23 Champions League qualifying, yet as they get ready to start defending their 20th national title next weekend, the 0-0 draw in the first leg against Maribor did at least extend their unbeaten streak in all tournaments to 14 games.
To have a chance of advancing to the group stages for a second consecutive year, Stjepan Tomas’ team had another opportunity to turn the tie around at home, but if the team that had defeated Real Madrid had lost in the second round of qualifying, that would have been quite a fall from grace.
Before the Champions League match began, Maribor was the favourite, the most recent of their three group-stage appearances in the Champions League was in 2017–18, however, with two teams who still have immaculate defensive records, something is going to have to give.
Before the game, both teams had identical records in the Champions League, in the two sides’ Champions League qualification matches this season, there were two draws and a victory.
For the Moldovan champs, Patrick Kpozo, another Ghanaian, played the entire game, both defender Patrick Kpozo and goalkeeper Razak Abalora have played four times for Sheriff.
For the match last Tuesday, both sides’ starting eleven were, Abalora, Guedes, Radeljic, Kiki, Kpozo; Badolo, Kyabou, and Lushkja; Ouattara, Yansane, Pernambuco for the Moldova giants.
The men who started the game for the away team were Bergsen, Guerrico, Watson, Mitrovic, Sikosek, Antolin, Repas; Zugelj, Kronaveter, Brnic, and Baturina.
