Makan Konate Prays for Persib in ACL Two: Prove Indonesia Can Compete in Asia
Baca dalam 60 detik
- Makan Konate menyampaikan dukungan moral kepada Persib Bandung yang telah memastikan tempat di 16 besar AFC Champions League Two usai mengalahkan Melbourne Victory 2-1.
- Dukungan itu berakar pada memori Konate saat membawa Persib menembus 16 besar Piala AFC 2015, meski kini ia bermain untuk Isenmulang Kalteng FC.
- Persib masih menyisakan dua laga Grup E; tambahan satu poin melawan FC Seoul akan mengunci status juara grup.
Former Persib Bandung midfielder Makan Konate has given his emotional support to his former team, which has just secured a place in the round of 16 of the AFC Champions League Two 2026/2027. The support came after Persib beat Melbourne Victory 2-1 at AAMI Park, Melbourne, on Wednesday (4/11/2026). The win not only cemented Persib's position at the top of the Group E standings but also signaled that Indonesian clubs can compete at the Asian club level.
For Konate, this Persib achievement is more than just a club milestone. He sees Maung Bandung's success as a point of pride for national football. “Congratulations to Persib Bandung on reaching the round of 16. I keep praying they go further, keep praying, and prove that Indonesia can compete on the Asian stage. Edankeun, keep going Persib, bring honor to Indonesia's name. Come on, Persib Bandung!” Konate said enthusiastically, as quoted by Bola.com.
Konate's emotional bond with Persib is not without reason. The midfielder who wore the number 10 shirt was a key figure when Persib reached the round of 16 of the 2015 AFC Cup. Now, although he wears the Isenmulang Kalteng FC shirt and often faces Persib as an opponent in domestic competition, his love for Persib and respect for the Bobotoh have never faded. The moral support from the former midfield general is expected to give the squad an extra injection of motivation to keep hope alive and carve out achievements on the international stage.
Persib still have two matches left in the group phase. Next up, Maung Bandung will host South Korea's FC Seoul at Gelora Bandung Lautan Api Stadium on Wednesday (25/11/2026) at 19.15 WIB. After that, they travel to The Cong-Viettel FC (Vietnam) on Wednesday (2/12/2026) at 17.00 WIB. Although qualification is already assured, the group winner's spot is not entirely secure and remains a realistic target that can be achieved with just one more point.
For Indonesian football fans, Persib's run in the ACL Two is an oasis amid the dynamics of domestic competition that often dominate attention. Reaching the round of 16 not only raises the club's profile but also contributes to Indonesia's competition coefficient in the eyes of the AFC. The further Persib go, the greater Indonesia's chance of securing a better slot allocation in Asian club competitions in the seasons to come. Support from legends like Konate is a reminder that achievements at continental level are the accumulation of hard work and strong emotional bonds between club, players, and supporters.
Going forward, the real challenge is just beginning. The round of 16 will present tougher opponents, and consistency will be key. Can Persib maintain their momentum and prove that Indonesian football deserves to be reckoned with on the Asian stage? The answer will be seen in how they manage the two remaining matches and prepare for the knockout phase.
