Nwosu, Hamilton, others predict victory for Enyimba
By Gowon Akpodonor
FORMER Super Eagles' captain, Henry Nwosu and past technical director of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA), Paul Hamilton are optimistic that the People's Elephant, Enyimba FC of Aba, will play in the final of this year's CAF Champions League despite their present tight condition.
The duo who spoke with The Guardian recently in Lagos are of the view that with serious effort on the part of the players and their handlers, Enyimba will overcome this weekend's challenge from Esperance FC in Tunisia.
Both teams had played a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the semi final match two weeks ago in Aba and Enyimba needs to secure a 2-2 draw or an outright win to pick the final ticket at the expense of the Tunisian team.
Said Nwosu: "Enyimba's victory is very tight, but victory is still possible. The boys know what is at stake and I expect them to put up a good fight in Tunisia this weekend."
In his view, Hamilton said: "The players must cast their mind back to those hard moments and how they came out of them, especially last year. The team is not new to difficult situation like this and with seriousness on the part of the players, I see victory in Tunisia," he stated optimistically.
Former assistant coach of NPA FC, Napoleon Aluma is of the view that the fighting spirit on the side of Enyimba's players may see them picking the final ticket at the expense of Esperance FC in Tunisia.
"I see a situation whereby the typical Igbo fighting spirit in Enyimba will see them through to the final. It may be difficult but victory is not impossible", Aluma said.
Aluma, who spoke with The Guardian at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos said the possibility of the team picking the final ticket lies on the players, the technical crew and supporters of Enyimba FC.
"I remember in 1975 when Enugu Rangers played 0-0 with Young Africans of Tanzania at home in the first leg, second round of the African Cup of Champions Clubs, which is now the CAF Champions League. So many people gave up but the die-hard supporters of the team still kept their faith in the team's ability to make it. At the end, Rangers scaled through to the quarter final on away advantage after pulling a 1-1 draw in far away Tanzania. You do not write off Nigerian teams, especially those ones from the eastern part of the country because the lives of most of these boys depend on football. They will fight to finish in Tunisia," Aluma stated.
Soft-speaking Aluma, who was at the airport to see off the Falconets team on their way to Thailand also recalled a similar incident in 1980 when Bendel Insurance FC of Benin City escaped a second round elimination in the same competition.
"Insurance lost 1-2 at the Ogbe Stadium and some Nigerians even said that there was no need going for the return leg match in Nairobi, Kenya. It was the first leg, second round of the same African Cup of Champions Clubs competition and their opponent was the Gor Mahia FC of Kenya. During the second leg, Insurance surprised everyone by winning 3-2 to qualify for the quarter final on away advantage. Enyimba is capable of doing it if the players believe in themselves and forget this story of spiritual attack on the team," Aluma added.
Also, Coach Godfrey Esu stated that though the chances of Enyimba making it to the final is slim, there is hope.
"The chances are very slim but if the players can put their heads down just like they did last year, I see victory at the end of the battle in Tunisia," Esu added.
