Enyimba determined to win ‘risky’ game against ES Setif, says captain

Austin Oladapo, captain of Enyimba FC, says his team is prepared for the “risky” CAF Confederation Cup encounter against ES Setif.

The People’s Elephants host Algeria’s ES Setif in their quest to top Group A after a 2-1 loss to Orlando Pirates last month.

In a chat with TheCable, Oladapo said Enyimba won’t underestimate the struggling Algerian side.

Setif sit at the bottom of the group with a paltry one point earned from two games played. The captain warned that the bottom position in the group makes them desperate to avoid an early exit from the competition.

He, however, said his team is determined to show they want the victory more.

“This is the game we have prepared most, Setif being the least team in the group having gotten just one point,” Oladapo said.

“They are here in Aba for the maximum three points, knowing fully well that anything less than that will put them out of the tournament. It’s a very risky game, it’s going to stare them up. So we’re very prepared and more prepared than the previous games. Because we want that three points more than them.

“We are very determined to get this particular three points. We know how important it is to us, if we win tomorrow we will go back to the first position on the log. And we want to be, that’s where we belong. We are very focused to win the game.”

Gernot Rohr, Super Eagles head coach, invited Anayo Iwuala and John Noble, both in the books of Enyimba, to the Nigerian squad that recently defeated Benin Republic and Lesotho to clinch the 2021 AFCON ticket.

The development followed several complaints that the German was overlooking local talents.

Oladapo expressed the belief that more home-based footballers will get called up to the Super Eagles if they put in the work.

He said: “Every NPFL player is happy about the invitations of the two players to the Super Eagles. The call up has started and it’s left for everyone to keep working hard and wait for their chance.

“I, particularly as the captain, am happy for my teammates who were invited, it shows a lot of progress in the team. Everyone in the squad is also working hard to get invited.”

Enyimba will play ES Setif at the Aba Township Stadium at 2pm on Sunday.