First choice goalkeeper for Benin Republic side Energie FC Sheyi Damilola has warned former African Champions Enyimba not to take his team for granted when they face next Wednesday in Cotonou.
Both teams will meet at the Stade de l’Amitie in the first leg of their CAF Confederation Cup first round clash and Damilola believes his team’s underdog tag will propel them beyond Enyimba’s challenge.
Damilola in a chat with www.aclsports.com insists that his side respect Enyimba but that will not stop them from achieving their goal.
“We are underdogs and we were never tipped to get to this stage,” acknowledged Damilola. “We were determined and that determination we used in playing against Haifa (of Guinea) is what we would still use because in football anything is possible,” he added.
Damilola was in inspired form when his side defeated the Guinean side in the last round, pulling off several saves in their 1-1 draw in the second leg as his team edged the tie 2-1 on aggregate.
It must be noted though that Haifa are not the same proposition as Enyimba who have lost just once in ten Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) games this season.
The last time Enyimba faced a Beninoise side was in the 2015 CAF Champions League first round when they defeated Buffles du Borgu 4-0 on aggregate but Damilola says they are armed with enough information about the current side.
“About the current Enyimba team, we respect the team a lot.
“But we want to achieve a goal and that’s what we are after. We have done our research and we would play to instructions and pray God helps us,” said Damilola.
Enyimba were drawn bye from the elimination round of the Confederation Cup and will also take this weekend off on the local front to afford them ample time to prepare for Wednesday’s game in Cotonou.
“I wish Enyimba FC all the best, FairPlay and may the best team win,” concluded the goalkeeper.
