Enyimba winger optimistic ahead of AFL Sunday’s kickoff
Enyimba International of Aba winger Chidiebere Nnachi says he will work very hard to sustain the momentum after making an impressive home debut against Akwa United on Sunday.
The 20-year-old was handed a starting role as the reigning Nigeria Premier Football League champions reignited their title defence with a hard-fought 3-2 win against Akwa United.
Despite his relative inexperience on the big stage, the youngster put up eye-catching displays, which have been earning him rave reviews from fans and stakeholders alike.
Speaking ahead of Enyimba’s African Football League quarterfinal fixture against Wydad Athletic Club this Sunday, the dazzling winger said:
“I intend to work extremely hard to maintain that level of performance I displayed on Sunday. I also need to be focused, so I can continue to get the praises I received after the match against Akwa United.”
Reflecting on his performance against the former NPFL champions, the youngster, signed from Top-Level Football Academy, said.
“I am very happy playing for Enyimba and I did my best in my first home game for the club. I am equally happy that the fans were impressed with my performance. And I hope this can continue for a long time.”
Playing for a huge club like Enyimba comes with a lot of dreams, aspirations, and expectations, and having set a target of scoring 10 goals this season, Nnachi is already looking forward to winning titles with the 2-time African Champions, who will be playing in the inaugural African Football League (AFL) this weekend.
“We will achieve so many things this season,” he said.
“My target is to score at least 10 goals this season and to also help the team win titles to make the fans proud.”
The most successful club in Nigeria, Enyimba have won a record nine league titles, four Federation Cups, and multiple Charity Cups.
On the continent, the People’s Elephant remains the only Nigerian side to date to win the CAF Champions League (in 2003 and 2004), in addition to two CAF Super Cups.
The inaugural edition of the African Football League kicks off on Friday and will end on November 11.
The AFL is a new competition for the continent's leading clubs, eight of whom will battle it out in the hope of winning the $4m prize for the champions.
Before the
Enyimba match on Sunday, on Friday, the record 11-time African club champions - Al Ahly, of Egypt - meet Tanzania's Simba in the first of the quarter-finals, all of which are played over two legs.
The brainchild of Fifa and its president Gianni Infantino, who announced in February 2020 that the continent needed a new pan-African club competition, the AFL - in its own words - "is set to change the future of club football on the continent".
