Duro Ikhazuagbe
Enyimba needs an outright win against Congo’s CARA Brazzaville this evening to ensure qualification of the lone Nigerian team in continental campaign this season for the quarter final of the CAF Confederation Cup.
Playing in the team’s fortress in Aba for the first time in three years, the People’s Elephant will need a convincing win to avoid crashing out on head-to-head rule of the competition should the visitors hold them to a draw.
They will both end on 10 points and the result of the clash between third-placed Williamsville AC and Djoliba in Abidjan may create problem if the Ivorien hosts win, they too will end on 10 points from their present seven.
That will mean all three teams finishing the Group C matches on 10 points each, a situation that would require the head-to-head rule to decide the two teams to progress to the quarter finals.
Both CARA Brazzaville and Williamsville defeated Enyimba to have the edge.
However, Enyimba Coach, Usman Abdallah, has assured Aba fans not to panic as they are not under pressure of any kind going into today’s last group game.
Similarly, top star Austin Oladapo reecho his gaffer’s assurance to Nigerians going into this evening decider, insisting that Enyimba will not disappoint in the pursuit of reaching the quarter-final of the CAF Confederation Cup.
Having lost 3-0 their first leg in Brazzaville, the midfielder insists that his side is not only keen on earning a passage to the next phase but will also avenge their initial defeat.
“We lost to them in Brazzaville and now have the chance to get our own revenge.
“Though we are second in the group, we will not leave anything to chances against CARA. They need to win desperately because nobody is sure what the other result will be in Abidjan.
“We must get the job done for the sake of all football loving Nigerians. We are aware that a lot depend on this game, so we will go all out to get the maximum points,” concludes Oladapo.
In Group B, RSB Berkane and Al Masry have already qualified for the quarter-finals, This evening games of the group are almost dead rubbers
RSB Berkane and Al Masry will be battling to finish as Group B leaders as they prepare for their respective matches against UD Songo and Al Hilal.
With 10 points, one ahead of second-placed Al Masry, a win for Berkane will assure them of top spot at the end of this last round group matches.
Songo is winless in this campaign and have three points, all from draws in their last three matches against Al Masry and Al Hilal twice.
In Port Said, Al Masry will also know that victory over Sudanese giants Al Hilal will boost their chances of ending this group campaign at the top.
But the Egyptians will have to pray for Berkane to draw or lose to Songo if they are to finish as Group B leaders.
