By Onyekachi Chimezie
Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu, Plateau United Football Club of Jos’ technical adviser, has assured soccer-loving Nigerians that his team will succeed in its matchup against former three-time champions Esperance of Tunisia in the CAF Champions League second round on Sunday at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja.
Before leaving for Abuja to prepare for Sunday’s epic match, coach Ilechukwu spoke to the club media. He noted that despite their opponents’ experience in African continental club football, his team is in no way intimidated by them.
With the full backing of the club administration, the former MFM of Lagos coach said that his players had prepared thoroughly in advance of the game. He also promised that they would fight hard to defeat their opponents.
“We know it is going to be a tough game coming up against an experienced side with so many records in the CAF Champions League but we are very optimistic of our chances given the efforts we have put in to prepare the team,”Ilechukwu said.
According to him, anything can happen in football, therefore the team is optimistic about coming out on top against the three-time champions from Tunisia.
Plateau United, who is representing Nigeria in the African Premier club competition for the third time in five years, is aiming to advance past the group round after failing in prior tries.
In order to secure their spot in the second round of the preliminary stage, where they faced Esperance of Tunisia, The Peace Boys defeated Aso Mandji of Gabon three-two on aggregate in the first round of the competition.
The victor of the second round, which will consist of two legs, will advance to the lucrative group round of the competition.
