Nigeria Content Online

The
last set of matches before the lucrative mini-league stage of the CAF
Champions League continues across Africa today and for Nigeria’s
representative, Enyimba FC, it is win or bust! The Peoples Elephant, as
they are fondly called by their fans, are gunning for a third Champions
League crown but face a stern test against one of Libya’s most
successful club sides; Al Ithihad at the Aba International Stadium
later today.

While Ithihad is
dictating the pace in the Libyan league, which they have won a record
16 times and currently occupy top spot, same is not for Enyimba who are
10th on the log in the Nigeria Premier League which has been on break
for a while.

That
notwithstanding, Enyimba’s captain, Chiedozie Johnson in an interview
with cafonline.com, said he is confident that his team will beat the
Libyan champions when both teams go head on in today’s winner takes all
fixture.

“We left Aba for Port Harcourt to train because we know how important this game is” he said.

“Everybody wants to
give his best because our fans have not sipped from the CAF cup for a
very long time. Let us say we are determined to secure victory.

“Over the past few
days we have undergone series of trainings just to be in shape. We
expect a good outing on Sunday. All of us like the Champions League
medal. We want to wear it, we want to drink from the cup. When you
bring all these together, you will agree with me that this is serious
business. Everybody is serious and determined to win.”

Enyimba enjoys a
slight advantage going into today’s game as the tie, which was meant to
be played on a home and away basis, was reduced to a one-legged affair
owing to the unrest in Libya.

Johnson though,
admitted that this not necessarily translate to an advantage but he was
however upbeat that his team can maintain their 100 percent winning
record at home

“We are going to use our excellent home record to full advantage” he said.

He continued “I
know that at this stage of competition, the venue may not matter so
much. I am sure that we have thousands of fans who would motivate us to
victory”.

“We will be careful
not to let ‘home advantage’ get into our heads. We will play the match
knowing full well that a winner must be decided on Sunday (today). Our
fans look up so much to us and we cannot afford to disappoint them in
their own home”

Ithihad has in its
fold some Nigerian players, top of whom is Izu Azuka. The team formerly
had Super Eagles star, Victor Ikpeba also on its payroll.

Johnson is however
indifferent about all that “It is a good thing that there are Nigerians
in their team. This will not be the first time we will play against a
team that has Nigerians playing for them. As a matter of fact, most
club sides in Africa have Nigerians playing for them. We are going to
play our game as a team against a team not as individuals or against
individuals. We will not let the presence of Nigerians distract us. We
are going to play against a Libyan club side not against Nigerians”.

Emordi’s thoughts

On his part, Okey
Emordi, the CAF Champions League-winning coach of Enyimba, insisted
that his side will not be looking at either their records or that of
their opponents Libya’s Ittihad FC in today’s game. Also speaking to
cafonline.com on the crucial encounter, Emordi said his wards are fired
up for victory.

“We are very
serious as we would not like to be knocked out at this stage. Football
is a dynamic game and for you to remain in reckoning, you must
constantly update your skills”.

This is the first time Enyimba will be playing against a Libyan side at any level and that for Emordi is no big deal.

“Football has only
one language, which is skill. Football does not understand any known
human language. So, the language we are going to speak in the match is
skill” he said.

He continued “The
pattern we are going to play is skill. So, it does not matter whether
we have never played a Libyan side. What they have is skill and tactics
and we are going to follow them in that direction.

“I also know we
have been playing against North African sides. Though it will not be
correct to say their patterns are not entirely similar, we know their
ways and can check them comfortably”.

Emordi said the pleasure of lifting the Champions League for the second time as a coach is important to him.

“It feels good to win and we cannot achieve that except we win on
Sunday to enable us advance to the mini league. I tell you the players
are anxious to go beyond the Sunday match. Individually and as a team,
we are eager to be victorious for our numerous fans, Nigerians,
management and for ourselves. We are motivated by the pleasure of
winning. Nigerians like winning and Aba is equally a community that
likes good football. When you win, you attract more followership. You
know football is a game of followership. God willing, we will win” he
concluded.