Enyimba FC of Aba coach, Usman Abdallah has declared that he and his players are not scared of Raja Casablanca of Morocco, their opponents in Wednesday’s CAF Confederation Cup quarter-final first leg at home.
Although he admits Raja have a stronger pedigree in African football and North African clubs always pose huge challenges to Nigerian teams, Abdallah insists The Peoples Elephant have what it takes to pull through.
He insists Enyimba will not only make the best of home advantage and win in Aba on Wednesday, but further said they will equally go for the reverse fixture in Casablanca and return unscathed.
Abdallah said his players are well motivated, in high spirit and ready to face the three-time African champions in Aba on Wednesday, ahead of which he has already marshaled a potent winning strategy.
Raja scored four times in away ties in the group stages and scored twice at CARA Brazzaville as they defeated the Congolese side 3-1 on aggregate in the quarter-finals.
Their 22-year-old striker Mahmoud Benhalib has scored 11 goals so far in the competition.
However, Enyimba beat them 2-0 in Aba and secured a goalless away draw in Casablanca during the 2011 CAF Champions League.
Abdallah is now aiming a repeat of those feats and, though he admits the game will be tough, he believes the seven-time Nigerian champions will emerge tops on Wednesday.
He said: “Raja are a top side in Africa and they have a rich continental history and experience.
“They play good and compact football but we are not scared of playing them.
“North African sides are always tough for West African teams, because most of their players play together for a longer time.
“Most of them find their way into their national teams – so they give their opponents a tough time.
“When we beat Rayon Sport, we knew the semi-finals won’t come easy, so we started preparations long ago.
“We are not focusing on a particular player rather we will play our game and get the result we need at home.
“To be the best on the continent, one has to play against the best and tough teams.”
