Bibiani GoldStars head coach Stephen Frimpong Manso has expertly deployed pre-match psychological tactics ahead of his team's CAF Champions League clash against JS Kabylie, deliberately downplaying the Algerian side's poor domestic form in what appears to be strategic gamesmanship.
The Ghanaian tactician dismissed Kabylie's winless start to the Algerian league season—which includes two draws and a loss in their opening three matches—insisting it holds no significance for Saturday's continental encounter at Accra Sports Stadium.
"We don't have to even think about that. For me, it's nothing," Manso stated with calculated nonchalance during his pre-match press conference. "The standings you are talking about are three weeks old so it's nothing. We still respect them a lot."
The veteran coach's comments represent classic pre-match misdirection, simultaneously showing surface-level respect while potentially lulling the experienced Algerian side into underestimating Gold Stars' preparedness. By publicly dismissing Kabylie's struggles, Manso avoids providing bulletin board material that could motivate the visitors while maintaining his team's underdog status.
Manso further emphasised the competitive nature of the fixture, adding: "On the field of play, we will not say they are 14th on the table after three weeks so we are going to walk over them—no, not at all. It's going to be a tough game."
The first leg kicks off at Accra Sports Stadium on Saturday, with the return leg scheduled for September 26 in Algeria.
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