By Sab Osuji
Enyimba of Aba departed the shores of the country in the early hours of today (Friday, November 27) for Burkina Faso for the first leg of the preliminary round match of the 2020/2021 CAF Champions League against home side, Rahimo, Orient Sports reports.
The People’s Elephant, winners of the trophy in 2003 and 2004, met the Burkinabe side at this same stage of the competition last year, recording an emphatic 5-1 aggregate victory.The Nigeria 8th time champions made a stop over in Asaba, Delta State, where they trained on the Stephen Keshi Stadium natural grass which is akin to what obtains in Ougadougou, venue of the match on Sunday.
Head coach, Fatai Osho, told Orient Sports that after plucking the Governor Okezie Ikpeazu Preseason title in Aba, that it was important his charges go into the Ougadougou battle in high spirit.
“We played against top NPFL teams in the Preseason Tournament, the likes of Abia Warriors and Plateau United. I think it’s a good preparatory test for us”, Osho said.
“And I must also add that going into a big competition like the CAF Champions League, it is always good for the team to do so on high spirit which comes with a victory like this.
“We are good to go at Rahimo, I must say. We have to get a feel of the natural grass which is the kind of pitch we will play on in Burkina faso. So we had to play another friendly with Akwa United at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba.
“We also had to consider the weather factor too. Most of our games, especially at home, would be in the afternoon, say, at 2pm, so we had to adapt by training in the bright sunny afternoon.
“Yes, I must say we are ready for the continental. The players know the importance of winning but at the same time we cannot look down on our opponents. We met them last year at this stage, lost 1-0 away and won 5-0 at home.
“We hope to do better than we did there last year”, Osho said.
Enyimba have boosted their squad with the arrival of the likes of Anayo Iwuala, a left winger plucked from Heartland and Sadiq Adamu from Wikki Tourists of Bauchi.
The two time African champions have equally bolstered their technical department with the arrival of Godwin Nosike, a CAF A Licensed gaffer who joined up from Enugu Rangers.
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