ENYIMBA READY FOR ‘CRUCIAL’ AL MASRY CLASH
Newly-appointed Enyimba Head Coach Stanley Eguma has declared his side’s readiness for Sunday’s ‘crucial’ CAF Confederation up tie with Egyptian outfit Al Masry.
The People’s Elephant, still smarting from an impressive 4-1 win against Black Bulls of Mozambique a week ago in Uyo, face the Egyptians at the same venue, knowing a win could move them up to 2nd on the Group D standings.
Ahead of the encounter, the veteran gaffer, who only took over the reins at Enyimba two weeks ago, said his players are now adapting to his philosophy, adding that he expects them to rise to the occasion against the North Africans on Sunday.
“Sunday’s game is a big one, we are prepared for it,” the former Rivers United handler told www.Enyimbafc.net.
“Being new in the team and trying to study the players and get them understand my philosophy, I think we have come to the stage where understanding should be coming.
“For tomorrow (Sunday) we are ready. We know that Al Masry is a strong team, and they are regular performers in the CAF Inter-club competitions. And so far, they have been posting good results.
“I think this match is very crucial to us. We need to rise to the occasion in order to catch up and start focusing on qualifying from the group.”
In 2021, Eguma guided Rivers United to a 2-1 win against Al Masry in the playoffs stage of the same competition before the Port Harcourt side lost 0-1 in the second leg, and crashed out on the away goals rule.
The veteran tactician says with those meetings and his experience against North African oppositions, he knows exactly what to expect from the Egyptians.
“I’ve faced them in the past as a coach, and I know their antecedents,” he noted. “I know the kind of football they play.
“Judging from the past experience, we played them in 2021 in Aba. We beat them 2-1. They play a typical North African fast-paced football anchored on long thrusts. And they have players who want to make a name for themselves.
“They are equally well-motivated with lots of incentives.
“I know they are coming here (Uyo) to see if they can salvage a draw by bringing their antics, slowing down the game, especially when the scoreline is in their favour.
“But we will guard against those things and ensure that we don’t give them room for that, and also make sure that we get the maximum points.”
An Enyimba win on Sunday will see the 2-time African champions move up to 2nd in Group D with 7pts, provided hosts Black Bulls don’t win against table-toppers Zamalek.