From Sunny Nwankwo, Umuahia
Despite failing to take a first-leg advantage, Enyimba head coach, Fatai Osho, as well as players; Austin Oladapo and Stanley Okorom, have remained optimistic about the team’s chances of overcoming Horoya in Conakry to qualify for the semifinal of the CAF Confederation Cup on today.
Nigeria’s champions, Enyimba, surrendered an early lead to draw 1-1 with Horoya, who now hold an advantage heading into the return fixture of the last eight tie at the Stade du 28 September.
The People’s Elephant must avoid defeat and score to remain in the competition and also stand the chance of becoming the first Nigerian team to claim the title.
The Enyimba gaffer, Osho in an interview is however, drawing confidence from his side’s sides away form, which has seen them win three of the last four in all competitions.
“We stand a very good chance like I said earlier. The last time we were on an away ground we scored five goals and you want to look at that team and believe they can do it anywhere.
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“This is a CAF competition where you have superb officiating, so there is absolutely nothing to worry about. We still fancy our chances. I know they would like to come at us. We would be ready to really give a fight.
“We just want to see how many of those players will be hundred percent because we are now thinking of taking players who are hundred percent to that particular match so that they can play to their potentials.”
According to one of the players, Austin Oladipo, “What happened at home wasn’t the best result for us, we know that.
“I think where we missed it in the first match was the way we played. We lost our playing pattern and allowed the opponents to come hard on us. If we want to play on Sunday in their home in Conakry, we have to stick to our pattern.
“The game is still open for everyone. We are good at away. If you look at our away history, we are very rich.”
Also speaking, Stanley Okoro said “We need to add more effort on Sunday. The team (Horoya) is not a small team so we need to wake up and add more effort and put more bite in the match.
“The few days we trained we know that the team spirit is very high. There is no panic.
“I believe in our team, I believe the players and I believe the team spirit. I don’t see the game that we are out. It’s not all over”
Today’s fixture in Conakry will be the second time Enyimba would be away to Guinean opponents, with the previous encounter being a 5-2 comeback win against Satellite FC in the 2003 CAF Champions League.
Kickoff time for the game is 4 pm local time, which is 5 pm in Nigeria.
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