Plateau Unted, MFM FC, Akwa United And Enyimba Of Aba Battle For Survival In The Continent
Plateau United the Nigerian League Champions have a huge battle on their hands as they host Tunisian giants Etoile du Sahel in first round, second leg tie of the CAF Champions League competition at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano on Sunday afternoon.
The match was moved to Kano as a result of the protest lodged by Etoile du Sahel on the poor condition of the Stadium in Jos, CAF consequently heeded to their request and moved the match to Kano. The New Jos Stadium is still under construction and is not deemed suitable enough to host the game according to the Confederation of African Football.
Plateau United were almost invisible at their home ground in Jos last season, dropping points just four times at home on their way to lifting the Nigeria Professional Football League title last season, also this season they have been in blistering form, winning all five home matches.
They also thrashed Eding Sports of Cameroon 3-0 in the preliminary round of the CAF Champions League at The New Jos Stadium. It will however be interesting to see how they cope playing away from their traditional home ground in Jos, They lost the first leg 4-2 in Tunisia and have to overcome the deficit in order to qualify for the highly lucrative group stages of the CAF Champions League.
First Leg: Plateau United vs Etoile du Sahel (2-4)
Kick-off: 2pm Sunday
Venue: Kano
MFM FC have their work cut out as they try to negotiate the tough task of surviving the MC Alger’s onslaught. The Olukoya Boys as they are fondly called managed an unconvincing 2-1 victory over MC Alger in the first leg at the Agege Stadium a week ago, MC Alger is a very formidable team at home, they were ruthless in their last continental match at home beating Otoho of Congo 9-0.
MFM must up their game considerably if they are to avoid a drubbing in the hands of the highly technical Algerian team. Going by what we saw in the first leg MC Alger are firm favourite to go through to the next round, but we can’t write off MFM entirely, they can still spring a surprise by shocking their host at home. The All Nigeria Football family wishes MFM the very best!
First Leg: MC Alger vs MFM FC (1-2)
Kick-off: 7.00pm Saturday
Venue: Algiers
Akwa United who is playing their second CAF Confederation Cup competitipon in a row after making their debut appearance in the competition two years ago when they lifted the Aiteo Cup for the first time following a penalty shoot out win against Lobi Stars in the final.
They were however knocked out in the preliminary round by Vita Club Mokanda of Congo. The promise keepers won the first leg in Congo but lost surprisingly lost at home to the Congolese. This year, Abdu Maikaba and his boys also lost their first home match in this years competition to minnows Banjul Hawks of Gambia but rallied back to overturn the deficit in the return leg in Gambia to book their place in the next round.
After narrowly losing the first leg 1-0 against Al Ittihad of Libya, Akwa United must find a remedy to their poor home record in the competition so far, if they are to qualify for the group stages.
First Leg: Akwa United vs Al Ittihad (0-1)
Kick-off: 4pm Sunday
Venue: Uyo
Enyimba FC of Aba, the two time African champions proved their class in the first leg of their CAF Confederation Cup match against Energie FC of Benin Republic by thrashing them 2-0 in front of their home fans last week in Cotonou. This firmly put Enyimba in control of the tie but that doesn’t give room to complacency for the Aba warriors, the second leg should be played with all seriousness to avoid stories that touch the heart.
First Leg: Enyimba vs Energie (2-0)
Kick-off: 4pm Sunday
Venue: Calabar
