Enyimba FC attacking midfielder Cyril Olisema has assured fans of the club that Burkina Faso champions Rahimo FC will not survive when they visit Aba on Sunday for their CAF Champions League (CAFCL) preliminary round second leg game.
In spite of the news that broke on Tuesday that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has directed Enyimba to host the game behind closed doors, Olisema told www.aclsports.com that the development will not deter his team.
“Despite the loss of the first leg in Burkina Faso, the team still remains a very good team,” began Olisema to www.aclsports.com
“Believe me, the way we have worked hard in the last week till date, I can say that my colleagues and everyone is ready to play. I don’t think Rahimo will survive it here.
“One of the main reasons we lost that first leg was because everybody on that pitch was not that match fit to be sincere because our resumption was close to match time but by the special grace of God, we will turn things around in Aba on Sunday,” added Olisema.
Ready to debut
Having joined Enyimba from neighbours Akwa United in the summer, Olisema was an unused substitute in the first leg match which his new side lost 0-1 in Ouagadougou.
He has since been touted as the team’s joker ahead of the second leg but that will not mean extra burden according to Olisema.
“I don’t think there will be any pressure on me playing my first match for the club on Sunday.
“I will play it like any other match and depending on the instruction the coaches will give me.
“I have to give my all because this is a knockout game so on that pitch I am going to give 120% or more than that because I have worked hard and I am not going to relent on that one on Sunday.”
Absence of fans…
The recent controversial directive by CAF which is poised to rob the People’s Elephant of their 12th man at the Enyimba Stadium has been a source of worry in many quarters but Olisema says that at this point, the players are ready to do it with or without their supporters.
“We don’t have to wait for anyone to push us before doing what we have to do.
“Actually, supporters are one of the key parts of the team and they are very important but playing behind closed doors, I don’t think it will be any hindrance to us and should not stop us from winning.
“We have been playing friendly matches all these while without many fans too so we are prepared for the situation,” submitted the player nicknamed Obodo, after former Super Eagles midfielder Chris Obodo.
Enyimba will take the 0-1 deficit to the Aba Stadium at 4pm local time on Sunday hoping to overturn the deficit in view of a place in the round before the lucrative group stage of the Champions League.
