Ilechukwu: Esperance Can't Intimidate Plateau United

Ilechukwu: Esperance Can't Intimidate Plateau United 

Ibraheem Lateef Ayodele

Fidelis Ilechukwu, Technical Adviser of Plateau United has assured soccer-loving Nigerians that his team will get positive results in their CAF Champions League 2nd round, first leg tie against three-time champions, Esperance of Tunisia come Sunday at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja.

Ilechukwu who spoke to the club media, shortly before heading to Abuja preparatory to Sunday's titanic clash, noted that though their opponents possess pedigree in the African continental club football, that does not in any way intimidate his team. 

The former MFM of Lagos coach explained that his team has prepared well ahead of the match with the full support of the club management and assured that they are going to work hard to get a positive result against their opponents.

"We know it is going to be a tough game coming up against an experienced side with so much record in the CAF Champions League, but we are very optimistic of our chances given the efforts we have put in to prepare the team," Ilechukwu said.

He stated that in football anything can happen and that is why the team is upbeat about securing a decent result against the Tunisian powerhouse who has won the competition on three occasions. 

Plateau United, who are representing Nigeria in the African Premier club competition for the third time in five years is targeting the group stage of the competition having failed in previous attempts.

The Peace Boys edged out ASO Mandji of Gabon 3-2 on aggregate in the first round of the competition to book their place in the second round of the preliminary stage, where they are pitched against Esperance of Tunisia.

The winner of the second round over two legs will qualify for the money-group stage of the competition.