The manager of Nigerian side Bayelsa United, Monday Odigie is aiming for a clear win when they take on Stade Malien of Mali this weekend as the Confederation Cup group phase enters Day Two, reports Chigozie Chukwuleta.
Odigie told africansportsdigest.com that beating Stade Malien is the only option left for them if they must qualify for the next round of the CAF Cup as they host Malians in a group B tie.
“Our opponents should not expect anything than defeat when they come to Oghara this Saturday. We are ready for any opposition and the last thing on our mind is to give away victory at this crucial time.
“Also, we want to win for our late captain, Abel Tador killed after a league match recently. The memory will always be there any time we play in Oghara. His spirit will guide us throughout this encounter,” Odigie said.
Emma Nwachi, who scored two goals when they beat Aigle Royal of Cameroon 5-0 at the same venue during the third round of the competiton is also looking forward to a victorious outing this weekend.
“We just want to keep a clean slate at home in this competition and I’m going all out for goals and a win. I know playing an experienced team that Stade Malien will be tough, but we’re just ready for any team, “the striker said.
“I learnt the officials are from South Africa, which impresses me because we’ll have quality officiating and with good officiating, all a player needs is to give his best, and play his heart out also.”
The centre referee, Daniel Bennett from South Africa will lead his others colleague, which included the two assistants, Rezeers Andrew, Anjith Yugesh and the reserved referee, Ebrahim Abdul Basit
With nine goals from their last two home games, the continental debutants appear in good stead to claim a convincing in memory of Tador, who played an integral role in their journey till this far.
Stade Malien, Mali’s sole flagbearer in the continental club championship were held to a barren draw by visiting Primeiro de Agosto of Angola, and a positive outcome in Yenogoa will aid their cushioning.
Experience-wise, the Malians are streets ahead of their hosts, who made history by breaking into the last eight on their maiden attempt in a continental club championship and will surely not be mean pushovers.
In the other Group B encounter, Primeiro de Agosto will come face-to-face with Egyptian side Haras El Hodoud at the Estadio da Cidadela in Luanda.
Hodoud, making their second successive appearance at this stage are the only unbeaten side and will be expected to pose stiff challenge to the 1998 CAF Cup Winners’ Cup losing finalists, yearning to make am impact this term.
In Group A, Egyptian side Enppi will host Entente Sétif of Algeria in Cairo in what has been dubbed a rematch of the Egypt-Algeria 2010 World Cup/Africa Cup of Nations qualifier last June.
Algeria won the tie 3-1 and Enppi will be seeking to avenge the loss by beating Entente Sétif for their first win of the campaign.
But that motion has been rebuffed by Entente Sétif central defender Abdelkader Laifaoui who says they are in Cairo for the three points.
“The atmosphere of the group is very good and we are ready for the challenge. It will be a tough game for both teams and we will pursue our goal of the maximum points,’ said Laifaoui who has targeted a semi-final berth.
In Kinshasa, AS Vita Club of DR Congo will square off Santos FC of Angolan in the other Group A clash.
The first and second placed clubs after the round-robin will qualify for the semi-finals with the eventual winners advancing to the final.
Weekend Fixtures
Primeiro de Agosto (Angola) vs. Haras el Hodoud (Egypt) Group B
Bayelsa United (Nigeria) vs. Stade Malien (Mali) Group B
Enppi (Egypt) vs. Entente Setif (Algeria) Group A
AS Vita Club (DR Congo) vs. Santos FC (Angola) Group A