Fabrice Joseph Ebogo Ondoa and compatriot Ndjiki Rostand face a tough test this Thursday evening as they travel to Cyprus with hopes to be defensively sound and eliminate their host.
The Latvian giants come to Nicosia tonight hoping to preserve a slim 2-1 advantage tonight at the GSP Stadium and progress to the next round of the competition.
Cypriot title-winners APOEL Nicosia dominated the first-leg game with up to 62% possession, but failed to make the most of that as they only managed to produce five shots and three efforts on target.
On the other hand, Ndjiki and Ondoa’s RFS made the most of their 38% possession in the first leg game. Their four shots on target made the more threatening moments than APOEL.
The Latvian champions took the lead courtesy of a goal from forward Alain Cedric Herve Kouadio in the 31st minute after he was played through on goal by Janis Ikaunieks.
Ikaunieks doubled the lead from the penalty spot in the first minute of first-half stoppage time, and in truth, the scoreline at half time did not flatter RFS.
Moroccan striker Youssef El Arabi managed to halve APOEL’s deficit in the 52nd minute after he took advantage of a poor clearance from Ziga Lipuscek in the penalty area.
RFS held on to prevent the host from scoring the equalizer, however it will all be decided tonight.
Apoel boss David Gallego will be concerned that his side failed to take control of the game after scoring, and were instead arguably fortunate to have not conceded a third.
Gallego’s team are now winless in their last four matches and have in fact only won once in their last seven competitive fixtures.
Their loss in the first-leg also means they have only won once in their last seven European matches, and have lost four times and drawn once in this period.
APOEL also have a mixed record at home considering they have won twice, drawn once and lost twice in their last five competitive matches at the GSP Stadium.
Their visitors are currently first in their domestic league with 66 points from 26 games, and drew 0-0 against Riga FC in their most recent match on August 25.
RFS had won the six games prior to that draw, and it was just the fourth time they failed to win away from home in their last 17 matches on the road.
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