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In faraway Khartoum, Sudan two-time Africa club champions, Enyimba International FC of Aba, are shaping up to take on Al Hilal to position themselves for the maximum points in the first leg match in Group B of the money-spinning stage of CAF Champions League coming up tomorrow.

The People’s Elephant, who departed the shores of Nigeria via Murtala Mohammed International Airport on Wednesday, know that the task ahead of them is enormous with the current rating of their opponents.

Though the Aba Millionaires expressed confidence on coming out unscathed after camping in Ota for one uninterrupted week, bookmakers believe that they need to do more than talking to escape the Sudanese, who have improved in continental football.

Fans of Enyimba had been heartbroken since the team failed to lift the Premier League last season, coupled with the lousy manner with which the team crashed out of the FA Cup to eventual winners, the Ocean Boys of Brass.
The Aba team are expected not only to prove themselves, but also to reassure their teeming fans of their potency to win trophies.
Before jetting out of the country, Maurice Cooreman, technical adviser to Enyimba, said he had the boys, who could wreck any defence in Africa. He also added that his bench would pull surprises if the need arises in the coming encounter.

When asked why Austin Eguavoen was left out of the squad to Sudan, Cooreman said the former Super Eagles’ coach, who joined the Aba side recently, took excuse to take care of some pressing family matters. He further disclosed that Eguavoen would be part of their future engagements.
"Enyimba are ready for tough oppositions, we are ready for the continent," Cooreman stated. "We are aware of the expectations of our teeming home supporter and we cannot afford to fail them.

After failing to win anything in the home front, I think it would be appropriate for us to win on the continent.
"I can stick out my neck for these boys, they can do us proud. In fact, when I return, I will repeat what I told you today," the coach added before the team travelled out of the country.
Enyimba are in Group B with Al Hilal of Sudan, the newcomers from Cameroon, Cotton Sport and TP Mazembe Englebert of Democratic Republic of Congo.

With two past winners in the group, Enyimba and TP Mazembe, who won the last of their two titles 40 years ago, many have said that it would be a nail-biting group phase action for the teams.
Al Hilal of Sudan, who were semi-finalists last year, have promised to go all the way this time around and Cotton Sport are leaving no stone unturned as they try to make a mark on the continent.

Arch Egyptian rivals, Al Ahly and Zamalek are in the same group for the CAF Champions League, thereby, setting up a potential explosive competition in the coming months. Both Egyptian clubs are record-holding five-time winners of the competition. They will share Group A with Cote d’Ivoire’s ASEC of Abidjan, who are playing in the league format for a record ninth time, and Dynamos of Zimbabwe.

The Harare club knocked out defending champions, Etoile du Sahel of Tunisia in the third round.
The league phase, which will start this weekend, will produce two top finishers from each group, who will advance to October’s semi-finals and then, the final, which would be played over two legs between the end of October and November.

Chairman of Enyimba, Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu, has said that Enyimba would not be intimidated by any club in their group, neither would they underrate any, adding that any team, which had made it to the last eight would not be written off as underdogs.
Anyansi further stressed that Enyimba would work hard to qualify for the semi-final stage of the competition.

Meanwhile, the Abia State Governor, Chief T. A. Orji, has promised to give the two-time African champions all the needed support for them to excel in their quest for a third Champions League trophy. The State Commissioner for Sports, Chief Paul Mba, who reaffirmed the state government's commitment to the club, assured that the players had equally promised to give their best in their subsequent games to ensure the silverware comes to the state this season.

"We are fully aware that the Champions League has gotten to a crucial stage. That is the more reason the state will be part of the whole process to ensure that things work out as planned for the team.
"I have no doubt in my mind, Enyimba can be African champions again this year," the very confident commissioner stated.

Enyimba have had the best start to their Champions League campaign ever this season, notching an impressive five-game winning streak and scoring 20 goals.
Striker Stephen Worgu is the tournament's leading scorer with nine goals and many had said that the sky might not be the limit for the extremely formidable Aba side in the competition.