CAF Champions League: Plateau’s Ayeleso expects ‘tough game’ against Esperance

By Wale Mustapha

Plateau United goalkeeper, Suraj Ayeleso has warned his teammates to expect a tough evening when they come up against Esperance of Tunisia in the first leg, second round of this season’s CAF Champions League.

Plateau currently adopts as home ground the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja, where they are hoping to record a good win against the Tunisians when both sides take to tango on Sunday and lessen their task in the return fixture.

Plateau United secured the second round berth at the expense of Stade De Mandji of Gabon in the previous round. A 2-2 draw in Gabon had given the Tin City side a lifeline before sealing the next round ticket in Abuja with a 1-0 victory.

The goal tender however expressed confidence that Plateau United will give it all to secure a massive win in Abuja.

“It will be a different game from our last match, we qualified but I think we didn’t play to our full potentials,” Ayeleso told Nigeriafootball.ng.

“We knew it will be difficult game that’s why we’ve been working hard to give our best, we expect tough game but we are confident in our quality to get us through, we will need to be extraordinarily focused and pay attention, we will definitely create chances and I hope we’ll make them count because that’s what can give us edge over them.”

Admitting that his side did labored to get a past a less fancied De Mandji, Ayeleso said the win in Abuja has further raised the confidence of the team even as he expect a tough duel against Esperance.

Ayeleso who has established himself as favorite since he joined United from Kano Pillars at the start of last season, is looking forward to another memorable season as he wish to win a major title with the Jos based side.

“I’m enjoying every moments since team up with United, we went so close to win the league last season and being a winner, I’d like to win a list a trophy with Plateau United this season, we have the team that can do, we will only keep working hard and pray for luck.”

Ayeleso has played ABS FC, Kwara United, Nasarawa United in the past and also won the Aiteo Cup with Kano Pillars in 2019 where he also emerged as the tournament’s best goalkeeper.