Nigerian outfit Enyimba fancy team's chances against SA champions Mamelodi Sundowns

29 June 2016 - 15:18 By Nick Said

Having lost their opening Champions League match 1-0 at home to Zamalek a little over a week ago‚ the Nigerian champions are desperate for at least a point against The Brazilians‚ who had their victory at ES Setif chalked off after the latter were disqualified from the competition for crowd violence.The Confederation of African Football's decision turned the group into a three-team contest and that means there is little time to rectify any further slip-ups for Enyimba.Captain Chinedu Udoji says the players feel no pressure‚ and that they have quickly forgotten the Zamalek loss. “We are professionals and we are not under pressure‚” he told reporters.“We may have lost the first match at home but we cannot dwell on that‚ we have a job at hand and we are ready to do it.“We are focusing on the positives and I believe that will be to our advantage.”Striker Peter Onyekachi admits though that they need to get something from the Sundowns game. “The clash at Mamelodi Sundowns is a must win for us to have a chance of qualifying from the group‚” he said.“Although Mamelodi Sundowns’ victory at ES Setif has been cancelled‚ leaving both sides square without a point‚ we know we have played more matches than the South African side. So the only hope of further claim on the tickets is outright victory. We will not disappoint Nigerians.”Enyimba goalkeeper Theophilus Afelokhai says the fact that they will be playing on a good surface at the Lucas Moripe Stadium will help his team.“Sundowns are a very good side and the match will be very tough‚ given the standard of their league and their performance in the first match they played‚” he said.“But we will also do our best and give a good account of ourselves. The pitch will also be good and our coach [Paul Aigbogun] is also tactically ready. We will do our best against them.”Enyimba’s previous two visits to South Africa saw them draw 1-1 with Ajax Cape Town (2005) and lose 1-0 to Orlando Pirates (2006). Both were in the Champions League. - TMG Digital..

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