Nigeria Leagues
African Football League: ‘Enyimba not under pressure’ – Finidi George
By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde
Head Coach of Enyimba, Finidi George says his side is not under pressure to pick a favourable result ahead of their African Football League (AFL) encounter with Moroccan side, Wydad Casablanca.
The first leg of the quarter-final game will take place at Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, Akwa Ibom state capital.
The Nigerian champions have won one of their last five games in all competition with a 3-2 win against Akwa United which is a shaky form ahead of Sunday’s game.
And the former Nigerian International, has debunked any kind of pressure on the team.
“There is no pressure on us. We are opportune to be in this tournament. We will do our best to make Nigeria and West Africa proud”, George said during the pre-match conference.
“Enyimba’s inclusion in this tournament was due to their past results and achievements. We are fortunate to be part of this new tournament which is a big thing to be representing Nigeria. We just want to do our best.
“We are not worried. I know they [Wydad Casablanca] have won more trophies than Enyimba when it comes to the CAF Champions League but that notwithstanding we know we are a very good side as well. We have not won like they have done but I think with the calibre of players that we have, we can give that fight and compete. Pas records don’t count in football. I think this is a big opportunity for us to showcase ourselves and put ourselves back on the world stage.”
Enyimba’s feat of winning the CAF Champions League twice in 2003 and 2004 qualified the team for the maiden AFL.
Finidi hopes the People’s Elephant can start the AFL on a positive note.
“There is no philosophy for me.” He continued. “Football is all about attacking well, trying to score goals and denying the opponents from hurting you. That has been the trend in football.
“We don’t know how far we can go in this tournament but starting well is going to catapult us to the next stage.
“We are building towards something. Last season, we won the league. The majority of the players are still in the team. We are building on that. I think this team is capable of competing in coming years.”
The last meeting between both sides was in the semi-final of the CAF Champions League in 2011 where Wydad picked a 1-0 win on aggregate after holding Enyimba to a 0-0 draw in Aba.
