Brace up for tough match, Aigbogun tells players

Paul Aigbogun, the Head Coach of Enyimba International Football Club, on Wednesday warned his players against complacency when they open their CAF Confederation group stage account against Mali’s Djoliba FC.
The Aba-based Enyimba will host Djoliba in their first group game on Sunday at the U.J. Esuene Stadium in Calabar.
Aigbogun disclosed that Djoliba deserved respect, adding that the Malians having made it to the group stage showed that they are a good side that should not be underrated.
Djoliba edged out MFM FC 1-0 on aggregate in the first round, having won the first leg 1-0 at the Agege Stadium in Lagos to qualify for the competition’s group stage.
“We saw what happened to MFM FC in Lagos and so we must be careful so as not to fall prey to the same home advantage trap.
“In this competition, you have to be prepared to win everywhere, it doesn’t matter whether it is home or away.
“In our previous games — against Energie FC of Benin Republic and South Africa’s Bidvest Wits — they made things difficult for us in the second leg. But our first leg advantage gave us the edge.
“It is going to be a big test for us, different from our previous games. But I’m confident we can beat them.
“We are going to try our best to win the game. Our first target is to top our group and a good result in this game will put us in a good position to do that,” he said.
NAN also reports that the Aba-based clubside are in Group C with Mali’s Djoliba, CARA of Congo and Cote D’Ivoire’s Williamsville.
Djoliba, who knocked out another MFM FC, out in the play-off stage represents the biggest threat to Enyimba’s ambition of advancing from the group.
Aigbogun, who is also the head coach of Nigeria’s national under-20 team, however also warned that all four clubs in the group have the potential to make it to the next round.
“It’s a fair group by all standards, but we must be careful not to underrate any team because they all have the potential to qualify.
“What is important now is for us to keep working hard and not take anything for granted.
“At this stage of the competition, it is only hard work and proper planning that can make us achieve our objectives,’’ he said(NAN)