The Chairman of El-Kanemi Warriors Football Club of Borno, Waziri Isah, says the club is prepared to defeat Raja Casablanca of Morocco in the CAF Confederation Cup.
Isah said this in an interview with newsmen on Thursday in Maiduguri, assuring them the team was well prepared for the continental encounter.
He said El-Kanemi Warriors would host the Moroccan side in the first leg before travelling to Morocco for the return leg, scheduled for between Oct. 16 and Oct. 18, while the return leg would be held on Oct. 24 at Stade Mohamed V in Casablanca, Morocco.
“We are preparing to face Raja Casablanca. We will play them at home and, a week later, follow them to Morocco for the return leg.
“We have no problem with Raja Casablanca. We are waiting for the time, and we are prepared,” he said.
Isah said the club’s immediate priority remained the continental competition in spite of its relegation, adding that efforts were ongoing to secure a return to the top flight.
He said the club had also commenced a youth development programme aimed at producing home-grown talents for El-Kanemi Warriors and Borno football.
According to him, about 15 young players are currently undergoing development alongside the senior team.
“We are catching them young. They train together with the senior players and copy from their experience,” he said.
The chairman said the club had also improved players’ welfare through the provision of accommodation and match bonuses.
He said each player had a room equipped with an air conditioner, refrigerator and television at the club’s camp.
Isah commended Gov. Babagana Zulum and the Commissioner for Youth and Sports for their financial and other support to the club.
Also speaking, the club’s Technical Adviser, Emmanuel King, said the team had intensified its technical and physical preparations for the encounter.
King said the preparations focused on fitness, tactical understanding and building the players’ confidence.
He said the team would adopt an attacking approach in the first leg while respecting Raja Casablanca’s experience in African football.
“I don’t believe in brand; I believe in content. Raja has experience on the continent, and we respect them, but we want to make a statement,” he said.
King said the team’s 3-1 aggregate victory over UDIP of Guinea-Bissau had boosted its confidence.
He attributed the success to the players’ resilience, discipline and willingness to accept instructions and corrections.
“We are not scared. We will respect Raja and will not be boastful, but the outcome after 90 minutes will determine the contest,” he said.
The technical adviser expressed confidence in the team’s quality and determination to advance further in the competition.
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