Enyimba International FC of Aba will begin the next phase of their CAF Confederation Cup journey when they welcome Libyan side, Ahli Bengazi to the Enyimba International Stadium on Wednesday (March 10).
The eight-time Nigerian champions ousted their country rivals, Rivers United, in the playoff round of the competition on penalties to reach the group stages of the tournament. Enyimba head coach, Fatai Osho, on Tuesday praised the quality of his opponents’s side, particularly their technical abilities.
“They are a decent team, we have been able to see some of their videos along with the players,” Osho stated.
“They move the ball very quickly, they have team chemistry, they have teamwork in abundance, they are quick in the attack, a lot of power also and a bit of skill too.
“They are a team that is supposed to be where they are now, they didn’t get to this group stage by accident looking at the quality they possess.
“They deserve to be at the group stage.”
Osho also made it clear that his team must make a good start to the competition to have any chance of progressing to the next stage. He insisted that defeating Ahli Bengazi was the only way to do that.
“In any competition, the way you start determines how you progress some times,” Osho added.
“If you start on a high, you’d want to gain confidence and see yourself do very well but if you struggle on the first day, it becomes a problem because every other team will fancy their chances against you.
“It is important that we as Enyimba start very well on Wednesday.”
Cyril Olisema’s strike in Enyimba’s first leg playoff tie against Rivers United put the People’s Elephant in pole position to qualify and also gave them the advantage in Wednesday’s fixture. The midfielder was confident that a win would give the team what it needs going nto the remaining games.
“It is going to be a vital game for us since it is the first group match.
“I think if you want to start very good in any competition, you have to win your first match and that will give you a lot of confidence to go ahead to play the other games.
“I think by the special grace of God, we are coming out fully to get the three points.
“I have watched some of their videos which is the past matches they have played, I think they are a good side and as a North African side, we are not going to underrate them because it is going to be a tough game, so we are going to come out fully for them,” Olisema concluded.
Enyimba fans across Nigeria and beyond will be watching carefully to see whether the club’s performance in Aba on Wednesday is indicative of greater things in their continental journey.
Story by Sammy Wejinya
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