ASEC Abidjan manager Patrick Liewig refused to throw in the towel over his side's chances to reach the semis of the CAF Champions League. The Ivorian Champions root Group A, with two points from three games and host Zamalek on Sunday. "I don't concede defeat that easily," Liewig said in an online chat with ASEC fans on the club website. "All teams playing in the group stage have one goal: reaching the semis. We will work to achieve this goal. "We have to stay mentally strong in the upcoming games." ASEC held Ahli and Zamalek to goalless draws and lost 2-1 to Dynamos Harare Liewig, however, refused accusations that his players are "too defensive-minded." "In the Ivorian League, we play teams who defend well and play on the counter attack, but in the Champions League it is a different matter," the Frenchman said. "They are top teams and you can't afford allowing them space to attack you and then try to recover the ball." After entertaining Zamalek, ASEC will play Dynamos at home before taking on Ahli in Cairo in the last group game.
