CAF CC: Plateau United coach promises group stage ticket
Getting into the CAF Confederation Cup group stage has been described as a paramount task for Plateau United according to the coach of the team, Fidelis Ilechukwu.
Ilechukwu, who lamented his club's exit from the CAF Champions League in the hands of four-time winners, Esperance of Tunisia in controversial circumstances, explained that his team have put the sad incident behind them.
Now, they are looking forward to a good outing against Al-Akhder of Libya in the CAF Confederation Cup play-offs coming up at the MKO Abiola, Abuja on Wednesday.
"We know the importance of this game and we also understand the reason why we did not make it to the group stage of the CAF Champions League. Is very painful for us, but we have put that behind us to enable face the future which is this game, Ilechukwu said.
The former Heartland of Owerri Coach who underscores the importance of scoring many goals at home stated that the technical crew is working hard in every department of the team to get the much-needed goals, something they failed to do against Esperance which largely accounted for their exit in the CAF Champions League, in order to make the return leg in Tripoli, a mere formality.
He commended governor Simon Lalong for his unflinching support to the team, as well as management of the team under the leadership of Pius Henwan and Technical Director Coach Ahmed Ibrahim for prioritizing the welfare of the team.
Meantime, Plateau United opponents in Wednesday's CAF Confederations Cup plays-offs , Al-Akhder of Libya have landed in Abuja ahead of the match.
The 47-man contingent comprising players, coaches and other backroom staff, landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International airport, Abuja in the early hours of Sunday with their food, water and a chef.
The team is expected to have its work-out at the MKO Abiola Stadium on Tuesday, the same thing as Plateau United as the authorities of the stadium restrict the use of the arena to only match days as a measure to preserve the playing surface at the stadium.
Kickoff is 4pm on Wednesday at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja.
