Striker Emmanuel Clottey scored twice as Berekum Chelsea rallied from two goals down to record a priceless 2-2 draw at TP Mazembe.
The vital away point for the visiting Ghanaian side keeps alive their hopes of reaching the semi-final of the competition having won their opening Group B game against Zamalek earlier this month.
Tresor Mputu capitalized on the defensive frailties of the Blues and slotted home the opener from 15 yards to the send the new stadium agog.
South African referee Daniel Benneth awarded a suspicious penalty to Mazembe after defender Edward Kpodo was adjudged to have fouled Mputu.
The impressive Congolese enforcer stepped up and scored from the rebound after goalkeeper Ernest Sowah attempted to save his Mputu’s first attempt.
But there was time for Clottey to show his predatory instincts as he scored twice with his second goal a classic to salvage a draw for Berekum Chelsea.
The Berekum-based side struggled to adapt to the synthetic turf at Mazembe as the hosts continue to dictate the pace of the game in the early exchanges as Mazembe raced into the 2-0 lead.
Midfielder Rainford Kalaba could have doubled the lead after his effort hit the lower bar to deny the hosts the advantage.
The Ghanaians looked a pale shadow of themselves in the first-half as they struggled to adapt to the astro turf at the Mazembe stadium.
Chelsea captain Abdul Basit, who returned to the side after he missed the opening group game against Zamalek, was unusually quiet, struggling to hold the midfield set-up of the home side.
Dangerman Mputu capitalized on the defensive frailties of the Blues and slotted home the winner from 15 yards to the send the stadium agog.
Chelsea’s uncertainty was partly explained by their late arrival and their flaws were swiftly exposed by the manner in which the home side took the lead.
Kalaba’s lofted pass was inventive but Chelsea’s failure to react was ominous for what lay ahead, allowing the onrushing Mputu to curl home the opener.
Midfielder Rainford Kalaba could have doubled the lead after his effort hit the lower bar to deny the host the advantage.
Referee Bennet compounded the woes of the Blues when he awarded a penalty to Mazembe after defender Edward Kpodo was adjudged to have fouled Mputu.
The impressive enforcer stepped up converted the kick after Sowah save slipped through for Mputu to pounce.
The Ghanaians came into the second half with a renewed spirit as they took their destiny into their owns hands by putting up an amazing performance that got Mazembe coach Lamine Ndiaye scratching his head for answers.
Solomon Asante came close to scoring with a low grounder that went wide in the 50th minute to the relief of the home fans.
Chelsea got the reprieve when the side was awarded with a deserved penalty after goalkeeper Robert Kidiaba brought down leading marksman
Emmanuel Clottey who went ahead to score brilliantly to reduce the deficit.
The 2010 Ghanaian champions continued to probe for the equalizer and once again Clottey was on hand to deliver another masterpiece with a superb individual brilliance late on in the second half to hand the West African side a priceless draw.
Chelsea have now put themselves in a pole position to cause an upset in their debut appearance in Africa’s elite inter-club competition.
They lead the group with four points ahead of Zamalek’s game against perennial rivals Al Ahly later on Sunday in the group’s other game.
berekumchelsea.com
