“I didn’t remember I was sent off”

Imo Obot thinks the joy of advancing to the next round of the Champions League eclipses whatever disappointment that could have come with seeing a red on his home debut.

The leftback was given the marching order in the closing stages of Sunday’s draw against Rahimo FC as we held on to book a first round tie with Al Merrikh.

Following a superb performance in the first fixture in Ouagadougou, Obot was not in doubt for a starting shirt in Sunday’s game, and the young leftback fared decently until he was sent off in added time.

“After the game, I didn’t even remember I was given a red card,” Obot said, smiling.

“I just joined my teammates to celebrate and that made me forget about it.

“After such a tough game against a very good team, you just want to relax and be thankful that we made it. The red card didn’t even cross my mind.

With all other leftbacks ruled out of the first leg in Ouagadougou, Obot was recalled from Nigeria’s U20 camp for what became his debut for us, something the youngster sees as a show of faith by Fatai Osho.

“I had to travel from Abuja to meet the team on their way to Burkina Faso because the coach told me that he wanted me.

“I had not trained with the team for a long time because of the U20. I trained just once in Burkina Faso, but the coach said he knew I could do the job. That made me know he has confidence in me and it encouraged me a lot. I am very grateful to him.”

The red card against Rahimo means Obot will play no part in the first round tie against Al Merrikh, but the defender has no doubt in the ability of his mates to get the job done.

“We know Al Merrikh is a big team. They are one of the biggest in Sudan and they are very experienced; but we know what we want. We want to get to the group stage and I know the players that will go to Sudan will represent us well.”

The leftback was given the marching order in the closing stages of Sunday’s draw against Rahimo FC as we held on to book a first round tie with Al Merrikh.

Following a superb performance in the first fixture in Ouagadougou, Obot was not in doubt for a starting shirt in Sunday’s game, and the young leftback fared decently until he was sent off in added time.

“After the game, I didn’t even remember I was given a red card,” Obot said, smiling.

“I just joined my teammates to celebrate and that made me forget about it.

“After such a tough game against a very good team, you just want to relax and be thankful that we made it. The red card didn’t even cross my mind.

With all other leftbacks ruled out of the first leg in Ouagadougou, Obot was recalled from Nigeria’s U20 camp for what became his debut for us, something the youngster sees as a show of faith by Fatai Osho.

“I had to travel from Abuja to meet the team on their way to Burkina Faso because the coach told me that he wanted me.

“I had not trained with the team for a long time because of the U20. I trained just once in Burkina Faso, but the coach said he knew I could do the job. That made me know he has confidence in me and it encouraged me a lot. I am very grateful to him.”

The red card against Rahimo means Obot will play no part in the first round tie against Al Merrikh, but the defender has no doubt in the ability of his mates to get the job done.

“We know Al Merrikh is a big team. They are one of the biggest in Sudan and they are very experienced; but we know what we want. We want to get to the group stage and I know the players that will go to Sudan will represent us well.”