ENYIMBA feast on JARAAF
By EMMA NJOKU
Saturday
April 1,
2006
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•Aiyenugba
Photo: Sun News Publishing
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Two-time champions, Enyimba International, look certain to
cruise to the third round of this year’s CAF Champions
League at the expense of visiting ASC Jaraaf of Senegal.
Both sides will clash tomorrow inside the mainbowl of the
Enyimba International Stadium in Aba with the hosts, Enyimba,
going into the match with the advantage of a goalless scoreline
when they last met in Dakar, Senegal in the first leg of the
two-legged fixture a fortnight ago.
The Aba People’s Elephant dumped out the same Senegalese
side two years ago in the same championship, and have vowed
to show them the exit door again from this year’s edition
after tomorrow’s game.
Overlapping left-full back, Mutiu Adegoke, is already looking
beyond the Senegalese side, assuring that Enyimba are poised
to reclaim their title as Africa’s club kings this year.
"We know the expectations of Nigerians and we will not
disappoint as far as the CAF Champions League is concerned.
I am confident that Enyimba will rule Africa again. This time
around, we are unstoppable," Adegoke boasted.
Also confident of victory in tomorrow’s return leg encounter,
is Club Chairman, Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu. Although he admits
that the Senegalese are no push-overs, he habours no doubts
that his boys will triumph at the end of the day.
"We are not panicking. I can assure Nigerians that we
shall win and move to the third round of the competition.
Having played 0–0 in Dakar, the advantage is on our
side. We are not underrating the Senegalese because they are
good, but we are not afraid of them," Anyansi stated.
Enyimba’s Head Coach, Alphonsus Dike, banks on his experience
with Jaraaf while at Iwuanyanwu Nationale (now Heartland FC)
in late 80’s, when he guided the Owerri-based side to
eliminate the Senegalese club from the WAFU Cup Championship.
"Jaraaf are familiar foes. I have once beaten them in
the late 80’s when I was the coach of Iwuanyanwu Nationale.
We beat them in the WAFU Cup competition. I know their style
of play. They prefer aerial balls because they are tall. I
know how to handle them," Dike said before the first
leg encounter, which ended 0–0 in Dakar a fortnight
ago.
The veteran tactician has the players who are capable of trampling
upon the Senegalese tomorrow. Fleet-footed David Tyavkase,
diminutive Prince Olumo and new signing, Timothy Anjembe lead
the attack, while Odeh Ogah, Mutiu Adegoke and Ajibade Omolade
are expected to provide cover for captain and goalkeeper,
Dele Aiyenugba in goal for Enyimba.
Jaraaf may prove a hard nut to crack, but Enyimba look good
to advance to the next round at the end of proceedings tomorrow.
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