Ahead of Saturday's crucial semi-final with Nasarawa United, Enyimba midfielder Abdulrazak Aliyu says the team will put in everything to make it to the final of the 2016 Federation Cup.
Having edged Rivers United in a largely one-sided quarterfinal, Lafia-based side, Nasarawa United stand in the way of a sixth Federation Cup final in eight seasons.
"The game is very important to us," Aliyu disclosed to www.enyimbafc.net. "Like everyone knows, we did not get a good position in the League and in the Champions League we did not do very well also, so this is our remaining opportunity to go back to the Continent. Enyimba plays in the Continent every year so we have to put in everything to make sure we get to the final".
A place in next season's CAF Confederations Cup awaits the Federation Cup winners and following the club's worst League finish in over a decade, it presents Enyimba's only route to playing in the Continent next season.
Signed from FC Taraba in 2012, the 26-year-old describes the just concluded League season as disappointing and faults playing away from the Aba stadium as responsible.
"For me, this is a season to forget because we did not do well. But I think it would have been different If we played in Aba. It's not an easy thing - the stadium issue, but we have to take it in good faith, play very hard and get back to the Continent through the FA Cup." Aliyu said.
The quality of Saturday's opposition is not lost on the lanky midfielder who believes they are for a tough game but assures the team is eager to make it to the finals.
"Nasarawa United are not a bad side at all, they are good too. They have good midfielders and strikers. The likes of our former player, Abdulrahman Bashir and Esosa Igbinoba. They have a good team but we have to put in everything to get the result we need. It will be a tough game but in football you have to put in your best if you want to win".
"We want to end the season on a high starting from Saturday. Our eyes are on the finals and if we keep our heads up and stay focused, we will be victorious." Aliyu assured.
The Lekan Salami stadium in Ibadan will host the second semi final on Saturday 15th October 2016.
Having edged Rivers United in a largely one-sided quarterfinal, Lafia-based side, Nasarawa United stand in the way of a sixth Federation Cup final in eight seasons.
"The game is very important to us," Aliyu disclosed to www.enyimbafc.net. "Like everyone knows, we did not get a good position in the League and in the Champions League we did not do very well also, so this is our remaining opportunity to go back to the Continent. Enyimba plays in the Continent every year so we have to put in everything to make sure we get to the final".
A place in next season's CAF Confederations Cup awaits the Federation Cup winners and following the club's worst League finish in over a decade, it presents Enyimba's only route to playing in the Continent next season.
Signed from FC Taraba in 2012, the 26-year-old describes the just concluded League season as disappointing and faults playing away from the Aba stadium as responsible.
"For me, this is a season to forget because we did not do well. But I think it would have been different If we played in Aba. It's not an easy thing - the stadium issue, but we have to take it in good faith, play very hard and get back to the Continent through the FA Cup." Aliyu said.
The quality of Saturday's opposition is not lost on the lanky midfielder who believes they are for a tough game but assures the team is eager to make it to the finals.
"Nasarawa United are not a bad side at all, they are good too. They have good midfielders and strikers. The likes of our former player, Abdulrahman Bashir and Esosa Igbinoba. They have a good team but we have to put in everything to get the result we need. It will be a tough game but in football you have to put in your best if you want to win".
"We want to end the season on a high starting from Saturday. Our eyes are on the finals and if we keep our heads up and stay focused, we will be victorious." Aliyu assured.
The Lekan Salami stadium in Ibadan will host the second semi final on Saturday 15th October 2016.
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