Last gasp Farouk Mohammed penalty against Djoliba SC of Mali has put the People’s Elephant in pole position to qualify to the quarterfinals of the CAF Confederation Cup but the Aba based outfit still needs to win the last group game to keep qualification in their hands.
Speaking exclusively to www.footballlve.ng The victory in Mali, Coach Usman said, “The result in Mali was as a result sheer determination and the hardwork put in by the players before and during the game.”
The Kano born coach went on to state that his players went into the match with a positive mindset and a determination not to leave Mali empty handed which was finally rewarded at the death via the penalty spot.
On what the result meant to the group standings, he said, “We got a positive result but there are three teams with a chance of progressing so we have to win at home to ensure we are not relying on other results.”
“The whole idea now is to qualify for the Quater-final, that our minimum target and with the support of Nigerians and the backing from Enyimba fans at our newly refurbished home I am certain we would get the win against CARA Brazzaville in Aba.”
Coach Usman would go on to praise the Man of the Match performance from his Goalkeeper, Theophilus Afelohai saying, “I had no doubt in the abilities Afelokhai in goal despite having been spoilt for choices in that position as we have three top class goalkeepers.”
He concluded by praising the mentality of the goalkeeper who had to wait for time patiently and did well to stake a major claim for the shirt with series of top drawer saves that earned him the man of the match award.
