Okpala, Abdallah still hopeful of Enyimba’s survival despite home loss

Former Super Eagles Assistant Coach, Sylvanus Okpala and Enyimba Coach, Usman Abdallah believe the Aba side can still beat Raja Casablanca to the ticket to final of the CAF Confederation Cup despite their 0-1 home loss to the Moroccan team.

Enyimba lost 0-1 to Raja Casablanca in Aba on Wednesday and will travel to Morocco for the second leg of their semifinal tie in two weeks time.

Speaking on the game yesterday, Okpalla charged Enyimba to see the return leg as an open affair, which they could win if they prepared well and adopted the right strategy.

He said the defeat should serve as an eye opener to Enyimba’s coaches and advised them to change their formation and game plan in the away leg.

“Getting the final ticket is still a 50-50 thing for Enyimba and Raja Casablanca.

The defeat should not in any way demoralise Enyimba. What the coaches should do is to change their formation and prepare the players well for the return leg.

“In the game of football, it is not yet over until the final whistle.

We have seen teams in European championships that failed to win at home but went away to get the right result.

Enyimba players should have a positive mindset ahead of the return leg against Raja Casablanca.

They need to raise the standard of their game,” he said.

Also speaking on then game, Coach Usman Abdallah said Enyimba is still in the race for the final’s ticket.