Qualification for knockout stage of CAF Champions League non-negotiable – Enyimba’s Coach

Paul Aigbogun, Head Coach of Enyimba International FC of Aba has said that his team’s qualification from the groups stage of the ongoing CAF Champions League was not negotiable.

Aigbogun made the assertion while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos on the team’s preparation ahead of their Sunday’s clash with Zamalek of Egypt.

He said that though the team’s current position in the money-spinning competition was unfortunate, it had the technical ability to turn things around.

Our qualification from the group stage is non-negotiable; the technical department is working on our qualification and the players understand this.

We are looking forward to our game against Zamalek of Egypt which is crucial given our previous unfortunate results. Obviously, our players are ready for this encounter.

The players know what is at stake and are going to do their best to ensure our qualification. We have players who are capable of leading us to the next stage,’’ he said.

Aigbogun also restated that Enyimba was not afraid of the teams in the competition’s Group B, adding that they had equal chances of qualification.

NAN reports that Enyimba will play its Match Day 3 fixtures in the CAF Champions league away to five times winners, and Cairo-based, Zamalek on Sunday.

Nigeria’s representatives in the competition, Enyimba is arguably the most successful team playing in the championship.

Enyimba has won the cup twice; in 2003 and 2004 and is making its seventh appearance having featured in 2005, 2006, 2008 and 2011 also.

Zamalek of Egypt are five times champions of CAF Champions League; they won in 1984, 1986, 1993, 1996 and 2002.

Enyimba’s qualification from the group in this year’s campaign, however, remains on the thread after it had suffered two successive defeats in the prestigious clubs tournament.

The Aba Warlords started the campaign in the group stage with a 0-1 loss to Zamalek in Port Harcourt and a 1-2 against Mamelodi Sundown of South Africa.

However, Enyimba face an uphill task to produce an upset in Egypt against Mohammed Helny-tutored side that are second on the log of Egyptian Premier League.

The White Knight from Cairo surprisingly defeated Enyimba 1-0 in the first leg and will be hoping to consolidate on it at home.