The quest for a first ever CAF Confederation Cup for Enyimba FC couldn’t have come sweeter than how the current campaign is playing out to become, former player Victor Ezeji has suggested.
Enyimba booked their spot in the final 8 through a second place finish in Group D behind Hassania Agadir.
The NPFL side won three of the six group matches, including a resounding 5-2 win on the road against Ivory Coast’s FC San Pedro.
That win very much sealed Enyimba’s progress to the quarter-finals where they have been drawn against Guinea’s Horoya AC and according to their former Midfielder, Ezeji, it could be a blessing in disguise.
Enyimba have twice been crowned CAF Champions League winners, but the club’s best finish in the Confederation Cup is in the semi-final.
It could all change this campaign if they make the best of the opportunity of facing a fellow West African side, Ezeji opined.
‘It might be a blessing in disguise because this could be a great chance for them to win the confederation cup,’ said Ezeji.
‘But they struggled early on and that was essential because at the time they had to raise their game and not think they’ve arrived.’
Ezeji played for Enyimba in two spells, first in 2003 and had a second stint with the club in the 2013-14 season; and won the Federation Cup in latter.
He insists the current side must improve their goalscoring as well as away form to be able to go all the way.
‘They need to score goals, it will play a vital role in them reaching the semi-finals. If they can score as many goals they would have qualified from the first-leg.’
‘I think Fatai Osho should ensure his lads create and convert their chances otherwise the visitors could get a single chance fall for them and they can snatch it.
‘If Enyimba can change that mentality of winning at home and not doing so well on the road, they’ll have themselves to blame. Football is about scoring goals and that is what they must do.’
The Aba Elephants host the first leg of the tie, on March 1.
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