CAFCL: Ex-Ajax star keeps Enyimba qualification hopes high despite first-leg loss

Coach of NPFL champions and CAF Champions League side, Finidi George remains positive ahead of his side’s second-leg tie against Al Ahli.

Former Nigeria International, Finidi George, has retained faith in his side to turn the fortunes of their CAF Champions League tie, Soccernet.ng reports.

The vastly experienced coach is still hopeful of a turnaround in favour of his team when they play the home leg of the tie against Al Ahli Benghazi at the Enyimba International Stadium in Aba.

The Aba Warriors were set for a three-all draw and held on until almost the end but were nailed to the coffin by the late winner scored by Benghazi’s Hamadi Gadallah to secure a win for Al Ahli with a 4-3 scoreline, meaning Enyimba would have to play catch-up this weekend on their home soil.

Fifty-year-old Finidi George, who couldn’t give his team instructions from the touchline due to license issues, praised his team despite the loss.

Speaking on the club’s official website after the goal spree in Benina, Libya, the coach expressed his displeasure with the result but praised the effort put in by his team. He said;

“We are sad that we lost the game after a great performance from the boys. It could have easily ended in a draw but for that late goal, we conceded.”

He did reinstate that there are areas that needed to be worked on if his team would turn the tie around.

“I must commend the players for putting up a great fight against a very formidable home team. The crowd was also intimidating but our players did not let that affect them. There are areas that we must improve upon, but looking at the game generally, I see more positives than negatives.”

The return leg takes place in four days at the Enyimba International Stadium in Aba, and Coach Finidi expects it to be another game entirely, considering his side are behind, and wants to win.

He also believes playing in front of the home fans would be extra motivation for Enyimba to progress past the game and into the next round.

“In Aba, it’s going to be a different ball game. We will approach the game differently and hopefully, win it. We know it’s not going to be easy but I think the players know what’s at stake and having played this well here (in Benghazi), going back to Aba with our home support, it’s going to be different and hopefully, we are going to win it.”

Finidi George won his first trophy as a coach with Enyimba last season, winning the NPFL trophy, and is set to build on his precedence this season.