Enyimba ready for Al Ittihad challenge

Enyimba players warming up

Thursday Nov 25, 2021. 10:00

Nigerian giants Enyimba have expressed their confidence ahead of facing Libya’s Al Ittihad in the CAF Confederation Cup this weekend.

Enyimba will travel to Stade Mustapha Ben Jannet in Monastir, Tunisia for the first leg of the clubs’ playoff tie. The aggregate winners will advance into the CAFCC’s group stage.

The People’s Elephant strolled into this stage of the competition thanks to a 4-0 aggregate win over Diambars of Senegal in the previous round, while Al Ittihad ‘dropped’ into the Confederation Cup after they were beaten 1-0 on aggregate by Esperance de Tunis in the CAF Champions League.

“We have seen the draw against Al Ittihad. We will prepare very, very well for that game,” Enyimba coach Finidi George is quoted by Punch.

“If you are aspiring to do well in the CAF Confederation Cup, I think you have to be ready for any of the teams. Luckily for us, the first game is away, and we will see how we can assess them.”

Goalkeeper Olorunleke Ojo, who kept two clean sheets against Diambars, added, “We are not scared of any team. In fact, we will approach the game against Al Ittihad like a final.

“Without sounding boastful, where they come from doesn’t bother us because football is a game of 11 players against 11 players.

“When I was at Akwa United, I played against them; they are a very good side. But they will also be scared of us because Enyimba are not a small team when it comes to club football in Africa.”

The return game between the teams will be played at Enyimba Stadium in Aba on Sunday 5 December.