CAFCL: Kennedy Boboye Reveals Strategy To Surpass Belouizdad In Algeria

CAFCL: Kennedy Boboye Reveals Strategy To Surpass Belouizdad In Algeria By Omolagba Oluwayemi Following side's 1-0 win over CR Belouizdad in their maiden campaign of the CAF Champions League, coach of Akwa United, Kennedy Boboye said his side will approach the second leg fixture with a different formation, BSNSports.com.ng reports. Akwa United laboured to a 1-0 win over their Algerian counterpart in the preliminary round match played at the Godswill Akpabio stadium on Sunday and with the return leg slated for next weekend, knowing quite well that the Northern African clubs slaughter teams whenever they play at home, Boboye believes his side will give a good account of themselves when they visit Belouizdad next. "The Algerian side are highly technical. They have been in this tournament for three to four times. You can't take it away from them. This is our first time in the Champions League. There is no how we would have gotten what we wanted in a space of four weeks. The Algerians have been together for four years." While talking about losing players, Boboye believes the new set of players in his team well gel together as they progress in the tournament "This is what we have gotten. Most of these players we tried to get didn't come. We can't stop players from travelling. It's unfortunate that we started the tournament very early. We haven't been able to play together for a long time. By the time we surpass this stage, we would be better than before. About scoring away from home and the likely approach from his team in the second leg, he said "We will go there with a different formation. What we need is an attacker who can hold the ball. If we can't score, let's try to keep the one we have. We haven't gotten the qualities needed upfront. If we play to instruction and the formation to be used, the team should perform well." Also Read: Akwa United Secure Narrow Win Against Belouzidad In CAF Champions League Meanwhile, head coach of CR Belouizdad Beketi Karim gave his assessment of the match against Akwa United. Despite losing the first leg by a lone goal, Beketi said his side did well. "We performed well, gave everything and tried our best. The return leg should be in our favour. "The team played better in the first half and looked tired at the second stanza. On the whole, we have learnt our lesson," he added. On the standard of Akwa United as a team, Beketi said "That's how football is. We can't take anything away from Akwa United, the champions of Nigeria. They were solid too. We have forgotten about the game and will go back to the drawing board. The aim in Algiers is getting a positive result." CR Belouizdad and Akwa United will meet in Algiers on Sunday 19th September, 2021 for the second leg of the preliminary round.