Kwara United head coach Tunde Sanni has thrown down the gauntlet as his aspect prepares for its first actual continental take a look at of the season, a CAF Confederation Cup preliminary spherical fixture towards Ghanaian powerhouse Asante Kotoko.
The Concord Boys earned their place on the continent after clinching final season’s President’s Federation Cup, ending a protracted wait to re-establish themselves amongst Nigeria’s representatives on the African stage.
Now, standing of their approach is Kotoko, two-time African champions and probably the most storied golf equipment on the continent. However regardless of the pedigree of their Ghanaian opponents, Sanni insists his aspect is unfazed.
“I imagine Asante can’t do greater than what Warri Wolves did, and if we are able to survive this, we are able to survive in Ghana,” the coach mentioned, reflecting on Sunday’s goalless draw away at NPFL newcomers Warri Wolves. “It was a great recreation and a great take a look at forward of Asante Kotoko.”
A league take a look at earlier than the Continental Stage
Kwara United’s stalemate in Warri left them in twelfth place on the NPFL desk with 5 factors from 4 matches. Not spectacular, however regular. Sanni described the purpose as a confidence booster, proof that his aspect can climate stress in powerful away circumstances.
Warri Wolves coach Napoleon Aluma, nevertheless, felt his workforce deserved extra:
“I might not say a tricky recreation as a result of we didn’t rating. We did all of the enjoying, it’s simply that we didn’t take our probabilities. We had performed them in each division of the sport, however what wins a match was what was lacking as we speak. And I imagine we’ll return to the drafting board and proper our errors.”
For Kwara, the end result wasn’t about dominance however resilience, self-discipline, and preparation for the calls for of continental soccer.
The continental dream
The Ilorin-based aspect is aware of what’s at stake. Past simply successful, Kwara United need to show that they belong amongst Africa’s elite by advancing by means of the early rounds and into the profitable group stage of the Confederation Cup.
The primary leg is scheduled for Sunday, 21 September on the Accra Sports activities Stadium, with the return leg set for 28 September in Nigeria. For Sanni’s males, the mission is easy: hold it tight in Ghana, then end the job at residence in entrance of their supporters.
“It was a great recreation and a great take a look at,” Sanni repeated with conviction, “and we take that very same willpower into Ghana.”
Kwara United and Continental Soccer
Kwara United are not any strangers to the CAF Confederation Cup. Their final notable run got here in 2021, once they narrowly missed out on the group stage after being eradicated by RS Berkane of Morocco, eventual champions.
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That disappointment nonetheless lingers, however it additionally fuels their present marketing campaign. Again then, that they had expertise however lacked the ending edge. This time, they return with a squad that has tasted extra home consistency, a cup triumph, and a coach who preaches fearlessness.
The duty forward
Kotoko stay one of many continent’s hardest sides to beat at residence. However Sanni’s stance is obvious: if Kwara United can silence the Wolves in Warri, they will comprise Kotoko in Accra.
Whether or not that perception interprets into outcomes on the pitch will outline not simply their season, but additionally Nigeria’s illustration within the CAF Confederation Cup.
For now, the Concord Boys march into Ghana with confidence and the conviction that that is greater than only a tie. It’s a assertion of intent.
