CAF Confederation Cup
RANGERS, ENYIMBA SEEK CAF CONFEDERATION CUP REDEMPTION
BY MUYIWA AKINTUNDE
Nigerian champions Enyimba and Federation Cup title-holders are in a win-or-bust situation as the CAF Confederation Cup group stage enters Matchday 3.
Rangers have been disappointing in this phase of the tournament. And so too are their Mauritanian hosts.
Both sides lost their opening two matches and a third straight defeat may mean mission impossible in the continent this season.
Pyramids and Al-Masry, who go head-to-head in Rangers’ group, were victorious in their first two matches, meaning that the winners of this match will be almost certain of picking the quarterfinal ticket so early.
On their part, Enyimba struggled to a lone goal home win over San Pédro in Aba after losing their opening group match to Hassania Agadir.
That placed the People’s Elephant in second place, a position they will be consolidated if they don’t lose in Algeria this evening.
Agadir, Group D leaders, will seek to make it three wins out of as many matches as they face their Ivorien hosts, who have only one point from two matches.
In Group B, both Berkane and Motema are on four points as they square up in Morocco, while Zanaco and their Béninoise hosts ESAE clash in the other fixture. The latter have no point yet.
As it is in Group B, Horoya and Djobila will file out in Conakry with four points already acquired, which leaves the victorious side to have a better opportunity of making it to the last eight in Group C.
Bidvest host the Libyan side with both sides on a point each.
MATCHDAY 3 FIXTURES…
Group A:
- FC Nouadhibou (Mauritania) v Rangers (Nigeria) (8pm)
- Al-Masry SC (Egypt) v Pyramids FC (Egypt) (5pm)
Group B:
- ESAE (Benin Republic) v Zanaco FC (Zambia) (2pm)
- RS Berkane (Morocco) v Daring Club Motema Pembe (DR Congo) (8pm)
Group C:
- Horoya (Guinea) v Djoliba SC (Mali) (5pm)
- Bidvest Wits (South Africa) v Al-Nasr SC (Libya) (5pm)
Group D:
- Paradou AC (Algeria) v Enyimba (Nigeria) (8pm)
- FC San Pédro (Côte d’Ivoire) v Hassania Agadir (Morocco) (2pm)
CAF Confederation Cup
‘Nzogbu Nzogbu’ Enyimba enyi as Enyimba limp into Confederation Cup Group stage!
It was not easy, but the end justified the means. Enyimba had to go through the lottery of penalty shoot-out to get into the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup on Sunday in Uyo after playing a barren draw with visiting Etoile Filante of Burkina Faso.
The first leg also ended goalless leading to penalty shoot-out as tie breaker. Enyimba won 3-2 on penalties.
CAF Confederation Cup
CAF Confederation Cup: Enyimba target victory after Solid Showing in Bamako
Enyimba FC head coach Yemi Olarenwaju has set his sights on securing a crucial victory in Sunday’s second leg of the CAF Confederation Cup tie against Étoile Filante de Ouagadougou.
His confidence is built on the goalless draw in the first leg in Bamako.
“The job is far from over, and we can’t afford to celebrate yet. The return leg in Uyo will be crucial,” Olarenwaju was quoted by the club’s website as saying.
“We’ll go back to the drawing board, work harder, and prepare for the challenge ahead.”
Olarenwaju praised his team’s tactical edge and discipline, which nullified the hosts’ attacking threats. “We had a clear game plan, and the players executed it perfectly. Our tactical discipline prevented Étoile Filante de Ouagadougou from creating any meaningful scoring opportunities.”
The Enyimba FC boss acknowledged the tough opposition but remains confident in his team’s ability to secure a win at home.
“Étoile Filante de Ouagadougou is a formidable opponent, but we have the quality and determination to get the job done in Uyo.”
As we look forward to the return leg, we urge all Enyimba FC fans to come out in their numbers and support the team at the Uyo Stadium. Let’s make our home advantage count and cheer the People’s Elephant to victory!
CAF Confederation Cup
Enyimba’s midfielder, Daga confident of Confederation Cup group stage ticket
Enyimba’s midfielder, Daniel Daga, has pledged to lead club to victory against Etoile Filante in the return leg of the CAF Confederation Cup second round on Sunday.
The People’s Elephant are looking to build on their impressive performance in the first leg, which ended in a goalless draw in Bamako, Mali. Despite creating several scoring opportunities, Enyimba were unable to find the back of the net.
However, Daga remains optimistic about their chances in the return leg having missed the first leg of the encounter due to a slight knock
“Our resolve is to win and advance to the group stages,” he stated confidently. “We understand that they are a difficult opponent, but we have just one task, which is to win, and that is exactly what we are going to do.”
A win for Enyimba FC would guarantee their spot in the group stages, a feat that would make them the only Nigerian team in the competition’s group phase.
“We know the importance of this match, and we’re ready to give it our all,” Daga added. “We want to make Nigeria proud and show that we’re a force to be reckoned with in African football.”
Head coach, Yemi Olarenwaju, has been fine-tuning his tactics, and the team is eager to execute their game plan.
“The first leg result gives us an advantage, but we won’t take anything for granted,” Olarenwaju said. “We’ll push for victory and secure our spot in the group stages.”
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