Enyimba leave for Egypt, target positive result against Al Masry

Nigeria’s most successful football club, Enyimba of Aba, yesterday, departed for Egypt optimistic of beginning their campaign in the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup on a positive note.

The team left for Port Said through Abuja after five days of intense preparation at the Akwa Ibom International Stadium, Uyo. Speaking on his team’s preparedness for the clash against Al Masry, Enyimba coach, Yemi Olanrewaju, said that the club wants to return to the top of African football, adding that their tag as underdogs in a group comprising defending champions, Zamalek, Al Masry, and Mozambican champions, Black Bulls is a blessing in disguise.

Enyimba will face Egyptian side, Al Masry in their first Group D game on Wednesday, with their next two NPFL fixtures also postponed to allow them to concentrate on the continental engagement.

“For us, we are in the toughest group in the Confederation Cup, but this is Enyimba FC, and we want to progress,” Olanrewaju told Enyimba Media.
“I’m happy when people see Al Masry and Zamalek as the favourites. As a coach, I also want to stay low, focus on the job, and unleash the spirit of Enyimba on the pitch.”

He acknowledged that Group D is a tough place to be in, adding, however, that playing against these top teams will bring out the best in Enyimba.

“That is why we have been working ahead of time here in Uyo to get familiar with the kind of pitch we will be playing on in Egypt,” he said.

Enyimba is the only Nigerian club remaining in the 2024/25 CAF inter-club competitions following the ouster of Rangers Football of Enugu, Remo Stars Football Club in the preliminary round of the Champions League League, and El Kanemi Warriors’ failure to advance beyond the first round of the Confederation Cup.
 
Also speaking on Enyimba’s chances in Egypt, the team’s Sporting Director, Ifeanyi Ekwueme, commended the club’s chairman, Nwankwo Kanu, for ensuring that the side departed for Egypt on time to acclimatise with the weather before Wednesday’s game. 

He said the former Super Eagles captain has provided the right atmosphere for the players to express themselves in Egypt, noting that Kanu got the players buzzing by approving the payment of their outstanding bonuses, as well as, working tirelessly to ensure that the team arrived in Egypt three days before the encounter.