Super Eagles’ former defender, Mike Onyemachara, believes South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns have paved the way for Enyimba to qualify for the semifinals of the CAF Champions League.
The South Africans defeated Egypt’s Zamalek 1-0 on Wednesday to secure their place in the semifinals. Sundowns had earlier beaten the Egyptians in Cairo and now have nine points from three matches to win Group B of the competition.
Enyimba have no point having lost their opening game in Port Harcourt to Zamalek and their penultimate match against Sundowns in South Africa.
Zamalek, who are Enyimba’s direct opponent for the second Group B semifinal ticket, have three points, but Wednesday’s loss to Sundowns (second defeat in a row) has put them in disarray, culminating in the resignation of their coach, Mohamed Helmi.
To qualify for the semifinal, Enyimba must beat Zamalek in Cairo and Sundowns in Port Harcourt. A draw in Cairo will not suffice, as Zamalek will edge them out on the head to head rule.
Speaking on Enyimba’s chances in the competition, Onyemachara, who was in the Iwuanyanwu Nationale team that got to the final of the competition in 1998, said all the ‘Peoples Elephant’ have to do is to put their house in order and work hard in the games.
“Enyimba outplayed Zamalek in Port Harcourt, but the team was unlucky as the rains chose that day to make the pitch not conducive for their free-flowing game. Zamalek won the game with their only chance on goal.
“Against Sundowns, Enyimba held their own until the dying moments when a defensive error gifted the South Africans the winning goal. Enyimba is the only team that have given the South Africans a big fright in this competition. So, if they play their game they will come good.”
Enyimba will meet Zamalek in Cairo on August 12 and host Sundowns on August 23 in Port Harcourt.
“With a semi-final place confirmed, Sundowns may not take the last group match against Enyimba in Port Harcourt on August 23 serious, thus paving way for a well-organised Enyimba to win,” Onyemachara posited.
source: http://guardian.ng/sport/enyimba-can-qualify-for-caf-champions-league-semifinals/
0 comments:
Post a Comment