Ojo Predicts Enyimba's Surge Into CAF Confederation Cup Group Stage

Enyimba of Aba goalkeeper, Olorunleke Ojo has predicted that The Peoples’ Elephant will overcome the threat posed by Al-Ittihad of Libya and qualify for the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup, BSNSports.com.ng reports. Although many Nigerian football fans are apprehensive of Enyimba’s chances against Ittihad, after Rivers United of Port Harcourt lost to another Libyan club in the CAF Champions League, Ojo insists he and his colleagues are up to the task. The former youth international expressed a strong sense of optimism after the draw on Tuesday showed that both Enyimba and Rivers United will face North African opponents in the penultimate round before the group stage. Enyimba defeated Senegal’s Diambars 4-0 on aggregate to reach this stage, while Rivers United were beaten 1-2 on aggregate by Al Hilal of Sudan in the Champions League and dropped to the second-tier continental clubs’ competition. Rivers United are drawn against Al Masry of Egypt, after they lost the second leg of their Champions League tie against Al Hilal in Suez. On the other hand, former two-time African champions, Enyimba are drawn against Libya’s Al Ittihad Tripoli for a place in the group stage. It is the second season in a row that Enyimba will face a Libyan side after their meeting with Al Ahly Benghazi last season. The first leg game will hold in Benghazi on the weekend of November 28 while the return leg will hold in Aba a week later. Although Ojo admitted that it will be a tough match against the Libyan top-flight side, he assured that Enyimba will treat Ittihad with the utmost caution, as victory would see them qualify for the tournament’s group phase. The soft-spoken shot-stopper, however, added that there is nothing to worry about, as all the players and their technical crew, led by ex-international, Finidi George will step up from where they reached in their victories over Diambars of Senegal in order to overcome the Libyans in the play-off round. The Tripoli-based outfit previously faced Enyimba in the 2011 CAF Champions League, when they played 0-0 in Libya before recording a 1-0 triumph in the reverse fixture played in Aba to qualify for the group stage. Having gained some experience against Al-Ittihad during his spell at Akwa United of Uyo, Ojo says Enyimba will scale through and go on all the way to win the Confederation Cup. Ojo told goal.com: “We are not scared to face any team. In fact, we will approach the game against Al Ittihad like a final. “Since the draw was made, I have seen some Nigerians express their fears because they are a North African team. “Without sounding boastful, where they come from doesn’t bother us because football is a game of eleven players against eleven players. “When I was at Akwa United, I played against them and I won’t take away the fact that they are a very good side. “Trust me, they will also be scared of us because Enyimba are not a small team when it comes to club football in Africa. With hard work and a little bit of luck, I am sure we will scale through. “Personally, I will put in my best if given the chance to stand in goal. So far, my coaches have not complained about my performances and I promise to keep up that momentum. “Every dream wants to emerge as champions and we at Enyimba are looking towards that direction and I believe with God it is a realistic goal.”