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While Enyimba FC still have a slight advantage, after securing a goalless draw in the reverse fixture with their opponent, Union Sportive of Gabon a fortnight ago, Kano Pillars have an upheaval task against Moroccan side, Wydad Casablanca, when matches in CAF Champions League get underway today.

The Ladan Bosso-led Pillars team was defeated 2-0 in the first leg and needs at least a 3-0 victory today at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano to guarantee their passage into the next round of the lucrative tourney.

Kano Pillars and Super Eagles defender, Abdulwasiu Sowemimo, though admitting the tough task ahead, however remains optimistic that his team will upturn the table against the visiting Moroccan team.

“We will try our best to win the encounter and progress to the next round. We do not have any option or excuse not to beat them in Kano” the former Gateway FC defence ace told a sports website.

“It will be really tough considering the fact that we lost 2-0 in the first leg but we have no choice but to redeem the situation.

“In 2009 we played beyond this stage of the competition and it is our target to contest for the title this time round. So Wydad will not stop us,”

He reckoned that Wydad may come with all sorts of tricks including playing defensive and employing delay tactics, which he said may be the Moroccans’ undoing.

“Let them come up with any form of tricks, we are ready to match them, as they will not escape defeat in Kano,” he said. Pillars prosecuted the first leg in Morocco with a depleted squad but are likely to have the services of the quartet of Bala Mohammed, Sherif Isa, Shagari Mohammed and Mannir Ubale for today’s game. The team will however still miss one of their key players, Joseph Thompson who will sit out of the crucial tie due to an injury sustained in the first leg.

People’s Elephant

For Enyimba, though the task looks a bit easier, the team’s coach Okey Emordi says the tie is a dicey one more so, that the Aba Elephants did not score an away goal.

“The game is very open, that is why we must be very careful that they don’t score in our home, because that may turn out to be an advantage for them” said the former CAF Coach of the Year.

“The players all know what is at stake and also we have to hit the ground running from the blast of the whistle” Enyimba players were resolute in the first leg in Gabon and looked good for a victory away from home.

Meanwhile, Union Sportive’s Coach, Luther Fokam, said his team was unfortunate to not earn the victory on their home ground while boasting that they will edge out the two-time champions by snatching an away win in Aba today.

Emordi sees Fokam’s aspirations as a wild goose chase, as he bluntly declared that the Gabonese side should jettison any ambition of going any further in the Champions League.

Emordi, who led the People’s Elephants to their second CAF Champions League title in 2004 believes his players are back in their stride after a torrid beginning to the season and added that they still posses the spirit that saw them crowned the African Champions back to back.

“We are committed and are hungry for success. Picking a draw away from home is a good one for the team and the second leg will be quite different. “Whatever ambition Union Sportive has of going beyond this round, is as good as futile” he concluded.