Akwa United head coach Abdu Maikaba is confident of a positive performance from his side when they face Libyan side Al Ittihad Tripoli in the first leg of their CAF Confederation Cup first round clash on Wednesday.
United overcame a first leg home loss to go past Gambian side, Banjul Hawks in the previous round and set up a clash with the 2010 semi-finalists who eliminated Nigerien side Sahel SC in the last round.
The Promise Keepers arrived Tunisian city of Sfax on Monday ahead of the game billed for the Stade Taieb Mhri.
“We have finished our plans for this first leg and I have an idea about our opponents,” Maikaba told www.aclsports.com on arrival.
“I have seen their first leg and second leg games against the Niger side. They are a very good side but we have formulated a strategy to make sure we get a decent result here in Tunisia,” he added.
Akwa United, winners of Nigeria’s Cup competition – AITEO Cup – last year are playing in the Confederation Cup for only the second time in their history. Victory over Hawks in the last round also means it is the first time they are scaling the first hurdle in the competition.
Former Wikki Tourists coach, Maikaba believes his current side can handle any opposition they face in this year’s tournament.
“I have the belief that we can beat any side that comes our way in this competition.
“It depends on the reaction of the players if we can handle games the way we handle the Gambian side in the second leg.”
United went to Tunisia with a team of eighteen players and twelve officials. Maikaba confirmed that the only injury absentee for his team is CHAN Eagles midfielder Ifeanyi Ifeanyi who is yet to feature for the team this season.
Togolese referee Kokou Ogunakotan Ntale will be the centre referee for Wednesday’s match which kicks off at 5pm Nigerian time.
