Back in the Trenches
By Victor Ugborgu
Monday, June 06, 2005
Will Enyimba win the CAF champions league for the third time? Watch out as the battle begins
A Herculean task awaits Enyimba International FC of Nigeria in the money spinning stage of the 2005 CAF champions league. Enyimba are paired in group A with Al Ahly of Egypt, Raja Casablanca of Morocco and Ajax FC of Capetown, South Africa. Group B has four teams - Zamalek of Egypt, Esperance of Tunisia, Etoile du Sahel of Tunisia and Asec Mimosas of Cote d'Ivoire.
Interestingly, group A would be the cynosure of all eyes because of the high profile of the teams there. Al Ahly of Egypt and Raja Casablanca of Morocco have won the champions league trophy in the past.
The only underdog in the group are Ajax FC of South Africa. Al Ahly are the reigning champions in the Egyptian league. They ended the 2004/2005 season with 74 of the 78 points at stake. They won in 24 out of 26 matches and drew two. The Egyptians are know for their winning streak in continental engagements. They punctured Zamalek's 52 match unbeaten record in the 2003 season and produced the highest goal scorer.
Mahmoud El Khatieh, vice president, Al Ahly said they were set to defeat all their opponents and book a place at FIFA's Club World Cup scheduled for next year.
"The African champions league is our target. We want to represent the continent in the World Club championship in Japan next year," he said.
Although Raja Casablanca might not have achieved the same feat, they have remain a hardnut to crack in the CAF champions league. They have won the championship twice. With their past record, the Moroccans appear set for the task ahead.
The Peoples' Elephants are not new comers to the championship. Enyimba have won the trophy twice - 2003 and 2004. They are the reigning champions.
On April 23, Enyimba crushed the Red Arrows 6-1 in Lusaka, Zambia to qualify on 9-1 goal aggregate having won 3-1 in the first leg in Aba. The result of the match became the highest away victory in the history of the CAF champions league.
The Elephants are also known for their away victories. In 2003, they beat Satellite FC of Guinea 5-1. Also in 2004, they recorded a 3-0 away victory over Africa Sports of Cote d'Ivoire.
In the premier league, Enyimba remained unbeaten for 12 weeks. They are also topping the league table with 40 points.
Felix Anyansi-Agwu, chairman, Enyimba FC, said Nigerians should not doubt the capability of the People's Elephant in winning the trophy for the third time. "Football is real business, we are not taking chances at all. Eventhough we don't underrate any team in the championship, we are going to consume all our opponents and win the trophy for keeps," he said.
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