Enyimba Technical Adviser, Yemi Olanrewaju, remains optimistic that the People’s Elephant can turn around their domestic and continental fortunes, starting with Sunday’s CAF Confederation Cup Group D matchday 3 encounter against Black Bulls of Mozambique at the 42,000-capacity Estádio do Zimpeto in Maputo, Completesports.com reports.
Olanrewaju spoke to Completesports.com as Enyimba departed Lagos on Friday for what he described as the “battle of Maputo.”
The People’s Elephant, CAF Champions League winners in 2003 and 2004, have struggled in their first two Group D matches. They suffered a 2-0 loss to Al Masry in their opening game and were held to a 2-2 draw by Zamalek of Egypt at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Black Bulls, meanwhile, sit at the bottom of the group standings with one point, the same as Enyimba, after a 1-1 draw against Al Masry in matchday 2.
Despite the challenges, a determined Olanrewaju expressed confidence that the nine-time Nigerian league champions could shock their Mozambican opponents at the Estádio do Zimpeto.
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“The players are in high spirits, and the atmosphere in the camp gives me confidence that we will get the job done in Maputo,” Olanrewaju told Completesports.com exclusively on Friday.
“It’s going to be a tough game, no doubt, but our objective is to secure the three points, which will put us back in contention in this competition.”
Enyimba are winless in their last six matches across all competitions. A goalless draw with Sunshine Stars in a rescheduled NPFL matchday 13 fixture in Aba on Wednesday led to a ‘showdown meeting’ between the players and the management. The club’s leadership expressed displeasure at the team’s recent poor form, announcing pay cut sanctions for the players.
The players, however, apologised for their performances and appealed for continued support from the fans. They also vowed to make amends, beginning with the clash against Black Bulls in Maputo.
The match is scheduled to kick off at 2pm local time in Mozambique (1pm in Nigeria).
By Sab Osuji
1 Comment
Coach Lanre has been terrible and full of excuses. The exact modern local sort of coach. Disgusting!!!