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CAF Confederation Cup

DESPERATE ENYIMBA NOW HOST ORLANDO PIRATE IN ABA

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Enyimba players have Herculean task on Wednesday as they face a zero option in their final Group A tie with Orlando Pirates of South Africa.

Anything short of an outright win will condemn the two-time African champions to elimination from the continent’s second-tier competition after their earlier slide from the premier championship, the Champions League.

Even a win against Orlando Pirates on Wednesday may not translate to qualification for the quarter finals.

Enyimba will still be hoping that last placed ES Setif of Algeria make maximum use of their home advantage to neutralise second-placed Ahli Benghazi of Libya in an encounter in which regional solidarity may play a key role.

Should Ahly Benghazi beat Setif in the away duel, it will be adios for Enyimba in the competition.

Little wonder then that Enyimba had to seek authorisation to host the Pirates in their Aba fortress after it was understood that the Nigerian government may not wish to host South Africans on Nigerian home soil owing to the special variant of Covid-19 prevalent in South Africa.

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It was for that reason that Rivers United had to play their home match away from Nigeria in their encounter with Celtic Bloemfontein late last year.

At the time, Rivers United were already coasting to an impressive victory after their 2-0 away win. Enyimba do not have such advantage and will want to make effective use of home ground.

After much consultations and deliberations, it’s now confirmed that they  will host their counterparts from South Africa Orlando Pirates at the Enyimba International Stadium.

Just before the match-day 4 against Ahli Benghazi of Libya, there were speculations on the venue where the People’s Elephants will play the final home game.

However, it was confirmed on Monday morning that the match has finally being agreed to be played at the Enyimba International Stadium in Aba.

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Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

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CAF Confederation Cup

Owolabi Blames Overconfidence, Inexperience for Kwara United’s CAF Confederation Cup Exit

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Former Nigeria international, Felix Owolabi, has attributed Kwara United’s elimination from the CAF Confederation Cup by Ghana’s Asante Kotoko to overconfidence and lack of technical depth on the bench.

Commenting after Kotoko’s 1-0 victory in Abeokuta on Sunday, which sealed a 5-3 aggregate win for the Ghanaian giants, the 1980 AFCON winner revealed that he had earlier warned officials of Kwara United about the quality and tactical strength of their opponents.

“Do you know that I was in Ghana for an assignment when I watched Asante Kotoko play in the finals of the FA Cup against Accra Hearts of Oak?” Owolabi said. “The game ended 2-1 in favour of Kotoko, and I heard the President of Ghana promise to support the team in their continental campaign.”

According to him, the Ghanaian leader’s commitment reflected a renewed determination to revive the fortunes of club football in Ghana.

“He said the days of poor showing by Ghanaian teams were over and was ready to back them financially,” Owolabi noted.

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The former Shooting Stars star added that he had returned to Nigeria with insights that could have helped Kwara United prepare better.

“I told some of those close to the team that Kotoko’s full-backs and midfielders were their engine room, and they needed a tactical plan that would disorganise them for the entire 90 minutes,” he explained.

Owolabi said he also cautioned that the tie was far from over despite Kwara United’s earlier away goals advantage.

“I warned them not to take qualification for granted until the final whistle. Psychologically, the three away goals made them overconfident,” he said.

The former winger lamented that Kwara United lacked a “matured tactician” to handle such a delicate second leg.

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“All they needed was an experienced hand on the bench — someone who understands the dynamics of continental football,” Owolabi added. “It’s unfortunate. Now, it’s like medicine after death.”

He concluded by urging Nigerian clubs to attach greater importance to technical preparedness and experience when representing the country in continental competitions.

“Football has become too dynamic. Even the areas you least expect surprises have become success zones,” he warned.

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CAF Confederation Cup

Asante Kotoko End Kwara United’s Confederation Cup Campaign in Abeokuta

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Kwara United’s CAF Confederation Cup journey came to an abrupt end on Sunday following a 1–0 defeat to Ghanaian giants Asante Kotoko at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta.

The slim victory handed the visitors a 5–3 aggregate triumph, sealing their progression to the next round of the continental competition and dashing the hopes of the Harmony Boys, who had entered the return leg needing only a 1–0 win to advance.

After losing a pulsating first leg 4–3 in Accra last weekend, Kwara United were banking on their three away goals to overturn the deficit.

However, Asante Kotoko displayed greater composure and tactical discipline in Abeokuta, frustrating the hosts for much of the contest.

The decisive moment came midway through the second half when the Ghanaians capitalised on a defensive lapse to grab the only goal of the game — a strike that effectively ended any comeback hopes for the Nigerian side.

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Despite a spirited late push from the home team, Kotoko held firm, relying on their experience and solid defensive structure to preserve their advantage.

Kwara United’s head coach, Tunde Sanni, had promised an attacking approach, but his side found it difficult to break down a compact Kotoko backline that absorbed pressure and hit on the counter.

The result means the Ilorin-based club’s continental adventure has ended at the preliminary stage, while Asante Kotoko will now turn their focus to a blockbuster next round clash against Moroccan champions Wydad Casablanca.

For Kwara United, the defeat marks a disappointing end to an otherwise promising campaign, but the team will take positives from their spirited away performance in Ghana and look to regroup for the upcoming domestic season.

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CAF Confederation Cup

Kwara United set to finish the job!

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Nigeria’s Kwara United are brimming with confidence as they prepare to overturn a narrow first-leg deficit against Ghanaian giants Asante Kotoko in this Sunday’s decisive CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round clash at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta.

Despite falling 4–3 in a thrilling encounter at the Accra Sports Stadium last weekend, the Harmony Boys returned home with three valuable away goals — a major lifeline that keeps qualification firmly within reach.

 A 1–0 or 2–1 win on home soil will be enough to see them through to the next stage.

In a show of intent, the team arrived early in Abeokuta on Monday to fine-tune tactical plans and acclimatize to the playing conditions ahead of the must-win tie.

Training sessions have been intense and focused, with emphasis on tightening the defence and improving finishing in front of goal.

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Head coach Tunde Sanni expressed optimism that his players have learned from the first-leg experience, admitting that some key names failed to hit their stride in Accra.

“In that first leg, some of our top players could not come to the party,” Sanni remarked. “This time around, I pray that everybody plays very well so that we won’t concede. We have to beat them convincingly.”

The coach hinted at slight adjustments to his starting lineup but emphasized that the squad’s overall readiness and team spirit remain strong.

“At least one or two changes must be there, but we are set. We can play anybody. Everybody is ready now and understands what is at stake.”

While aware of the defensive risks, Sanni insisted that Kwara United would not compromise their attacking philosophy, which has become a trademark of the Ilorin-based club.

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“We are an attacking team. We don’t play defensive football. We always look to attack while maintaining balance,” he added.

Although the team will be without the passionate backing of their Ilorin faithful, Sanni believes the Abeokuta pitch provides the right surface for his players to express themselves.

“Definitely, we’re going to miss our fans, but Abeokuta has a very good pitch, so we can play anywhere,” he noted. “It won’t be easy, but with hard work, we can get the result we need.”

A victory on Sunday would not only avenge last week’s defeat but also secure Kwara United a high-profile final-round clash against Moroccan giants Wydad Casablanca — a fixture that would further underline the club’s growing stature in continental football.

For the Harmony Boys, the message is clear: attack with purpose, defend with discipline, and fight till the final whistle — as the journey to Africa’s group stage continues.

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