Enyimba’s Coach Yemi Olanrewaju Relishes CAF Confederation Cup Group Stage Qualification, Hails Team’s Collective Effort

Enyimba FC of Aba coach, Yemi Olanrewaju has given praise to his players and technical crew members for the team’s qualifications into the group stage of this year’s CAF Confederation Cup.

Sports247.ng reports that The Peoples’ Elephant pulled off the feat last weekend with a nerve bitting 3-2 win via penalties shootout against Etoile Filante of Burkina Faso.

Read Also: Fonseca Explains Chukwueze’s Struggles At AC Milan

The shootout became necessary after both sides battled to scoreless draws in the two legs of their decisive preliminary round fixture, following which Enyimba qualified by the whiskers at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

The Aba-based club then returned to their base in the commercially vibrant city of Abia State to defeat Lobi Stars of Makurdi 2-1 on Wednesday in the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL).

In the wake of both victories, Olanrewaju took a look at his recent strides with the two-time African champions and thanked God for giving him very supportive people to put his vision into effect at the club.

He declared, “I won’t take the credit, but I will give it to my backroom staff and the players. I am excited because I am the youngest among them.

“See the way I was screaming at the players. That’s because I am the kind of guy who demands so much from myself and from the team.

“So, pushing them to this level and achieving this, I think it’s great for the club and for me personally.”

The amiable tactician admitted that he has huge ambitions as a football coach and acknowledged that reaching the second-tier continental clubs competition’s group stage is a great achievement, but he quickly added that God made it possible.

“I’m not the kind of coach who’s after personal ambition … because the team comes first.
“As a group and as an individual, I think I have to celebrate. I feel good, I feel great. This is what I have always worked for as a coach.

“I always wanted to coach at the highest level. The kind of energy I put into the work and, with the help of God, I am getting there.

“I think God has been very helpful to me, and I want to return all the glory to him,” Olanrewaju concluded.

Post Views: 9