Enyimba FC striker Sunday Adetunji has told www.aclsports.com that playing for the former Nigerian league champions means a lot for him and his career.
Adetunji made his debut for the Aba-based side in their CAF Confederation Cup group stage win over Djoliba in Mali on Sunday night. The lanky centre forward joined the People’s Elephant from local rivals Abia Warriors in June.
“Playing for a club like Enyimba means a lot to me because they are a very big club in the country and Africa.
“Also, expectations here are very high and that will improve me as a player. The level of competition is always high at a top club so it is good for my career,” said the former El-Kanemi Warriors striker to www.aclsports.com
Adetunji was handed a starting berth on his debut. That, certainly portrays a huge trust from Enyimba coach Usman Abdallah considering the number of attacking talents at his disposal. The striker justified it in the end as he was the one fouled inside the box in stoppage time for Enyimba’s lone (penalty) goal.
“My debut is something I have been working hard for. You know that being my first match, all eyes will be on me from every angle to deliver and I thank God that made it possible for me.”
It has been an incredible twelve months for Adetunji, born in Ilesa, Osun State who suffered a serious injury while in action for former club Abia Warriors in August last year. The injury kept him out of action till the second quarter of this year.
He has gradually worked his way back to full fitness with Abia Warriors, playing mostly as a substitute until he scored in Warriors’ 2-2 draw at Plateau United on June 10, 2018 in Jos.
“I must confess it was a very hard period of my life but I am happy with the kind of people that surrounds me. My family and my club stood by me and a positive mindset by me also contributed a lot to the recovery,” he added.
Having made his competitive debut for Enyimba, the striker will hope to play an important role in their domestic and continental aspirations as the 2017/18 football season winds down.
Enyimba are currently fourth on the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) table and are second on their Confederation Cup group log behind leaders CARA Brazzaville on goals difference. The top two teams will face in Nigeria next Wednesday and Adetunji made an emphatic declaration.
“We are not only going far in this Confederation Cup, we are winning it,” he confidently said.
