CAF Confederation Cup: Olanrewaju Optimistic Enyimba Will Shine In Competition

Enyimba coach Yemi Olanrewaju is upbeat that the nine-time Nigerian champions will dazzle in this year’s CAF Confederation Cup despite being tagged underdogs in their group which has defending champions Zamalek, Al Masry and Mozambican champions Black Bulls.

The two-time CAF Champions League winners are the only Nigerian club campaigning on the continent this season, following the failures of reigning NPFL champions Rangers International, Remo Stars and El-Kanemi Warriors to cross their qualification hurdles.

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 concentrate.

Olanrewaju spoke in Uyo, where the club have been preparing for the encounter.

“For us, we are in the toughest group in the Confederation Cup but this is Enyimba FC and we want to progress,” Olanrewaju said via the club’s X account.

“I’m happy when people see Al Masry and Zamalek as the favourites. As a coach, I also want to stay low and focus on the job, and unleash the spirit of Enyimba on the pitch.

“It’s a tough group but we have a chance of getting out of that group but we have to do better than we have done in the league. 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.”

Enyimba advanced to the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup after a tense penalty shootout victory against Etoile Filante of Burkina Faso at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo in September.

The match ended in a goalless draw, mirroring the outcome of the first leg in Bamako, leading to the shootout where Enyimba triumphed 3-2.

Being the only Nigerian club on the continent, the two-time CAF Champions League winners could also aim to become the first Nigerian club to lift the CAF Confederation Cup trophy.