By Onyekachi Chimezie
Kwara United Goalkeeper Adewale Adeyinka was happy with his team’s performance in the CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round fixture against Niger Republic AS Douanes on Sunday, OwoSports.com.ng reports.
The 25-year-old produced a much-needed performance to keep his side in the tournament in Niamey after the Ilorin club won the first leg 3-0 a week earlier.
In a game which saw the former Rivers United goalie and 2020-2021 NPFL winner making many saves to keep his side in the game and was rewarded with the Man of the Match award at Stade Général Seyni Kountché, said every member of the team was committed to ensuring the victory.
“Before the game, I already had it in mind that I was going to try my best because it was an away game and we defeated them 3-0 in Lagos, and we already knew that it was not going to be easy, my team relied on me of which I thank God that I did not disappoint.
The Kwara native who holds the record for most consecutive clean sheets in the Nigeria Professional Football League after going 16 matches without conceding a goal in the 2020-21 season was pleased with the team’s clean sheet over two legs against the 2015 Niger Republic Champions.
“There is no magic in it, to me, it is just a matter of hard work and commitment. The clean sheet is not just for me alone, it is for the whole team. We worked together collectively, it was our aim that we didn’t concede here and of course, you can see the game wasn’t easy for us but with the effort of all of us I believe that that’s what helped all of us today.”
Following the ‘Harmony Boys’ victory in the first leg, Adeyinka was also asked about the team’s mindset going into the game in Niamey.
“We already know that in football anything can happen, for us beating them 3-0 in Nigeria, we believed that they can also beat us 3-0 as well, so we didn’t relent. We started the game as if it was still 0-0, which gave us the edge. We didn’t play as if we had beaten them 3-0 before.”
After beating AS Douanes and progressing to the next round, Kwara United will play the current cup holders Berkane FC on the 7th of October with the first leg in Lagos for a place in the group stage and Adeyinka was asked how prepared is the team going into the clash.
“For now the stats are behind us. We know what is ahead of us, we want to work harder because we know the kind of team we are playing next. I believe the coaches know what’s next to be done so we are going to put in more effort than this.”
