TheCable

Enyimba of Aba coach, Kadiri Ikhana, is optimistic his side will go far in this year’s African Champions League.

Action begins this weekend in Africa’s flagship club’s competition and the 2003 and 2004 champions welcome the relatively inexperienced Buffles Borgou of Benin to Aba for the first leg, first round of the competition.

Last season, Enyimba scrapped past Togolese Anges Notse but crashed out to Malians Real Bamako in the next round.

But Ikhana, who also coached them to victory in 2003, believes that disastrous campaign is behind them.

“I am confident that we will do better than last year and progress very far in the Champions League this time,” he said.

“However, we must be careful not to underrate Buffles. The key is to prepare adequately so that we are not taken by surprise.

“There are no small teams in the CAF club competitions and we must treat our opponents seriously in order to achieve a good result. It is a good tie for us because of the limited travel involved.”

Kano Pillars, the other team representing the country in the competition, meet Al-Malakia in South Sudan.

The northern club even made an earlier exit last year than Enyimba, losing a preliminary tie against eventual runners-up V Club from DR Congo.

On paper, Al-Malakia are a much weaker side than V Club, though, and it would be a shock if Pillars lose to them. But then, stranger things have happened.