Enyimba FC head coach, Fatai Osho has charged his players to brace up for the task ahead against South African side, Orlando Pirates as they eye a home win that will take them to the quarter-final of the CAF Confederation Cup tomorrow in Aba.
The People’s Elephant have relied heavily on home matches to stay relevant in Africa’s second-tier club competition this term having lost all their three away games but have beaten Ahli Benghazi and Entente Setif at home to be in third place with six points.
Speaking with journalists in Aba ahead of tomorrow’s tie, Osho admitted they would be up against tough opposition in Orlando Pirates and that his players must step up their game if they are to get the much-needed maximum points.
“We a lot of respect to the Orlando Pirates team we have seen that they have shown more than enough to compete anywhere. We are not looking at a team that is coming that will be there for the taking,” Osho said in a press conference made available to www.dasportstainment247.com.
“We have made it known to the players that they must come to the party for them to win. We know that in that group we have a lot of quality teams and African Champions put together in that group. It is not going to be an easy task for anybody. But at the end of the day, the team that shows the more desire will win.”
Osho also rued the absence of team skipper, Austin Oladapo who will sit out the encounter due to card accumulations but noted that they have a capable replacement to take the place of the midfielder.
“It is a big shame that he will not be playing because he has contributed to the results we have been having not just as captain but his overall contributions because of his experience at Enyimba and continental football.
“He brings a lot of quality to the midfield. We cannot continue to wallow in self-pity. We have to look at what we can do to get result. I believe we have players that can take up that position and excel.”
