The teams for the group stage of the competition were made public yesterday, and the Delta State team was pitched in Group A against Enyimba FC, a club that has a formidable record in both the domestic league and CAF Champions League.
The two other contenders in the group are Plateau United and Katsina United.
Group A matches will take place at the Patani Stadium in Gombe between September 24 and 28.
Speaking with The Guardian shortly before the draw was made public, the proprietor of the club, Julius Atete, said that his club had what it takes to beat any team in the country provided they are given a level-playing field.
“At J. Atete FC, the players and coaches see themselves as members of one big family, and that unity is helping us,” he said.
“We may not be able to rob shoulders with some of the clubs when it comes to finances because a majority of them have free government money to throw around.
But we always make good use of every opportunity that comes our way with the little resources we have.
“We have been so close to the final of the competition in the past, but some unfortunate incident happened along the way.
This time around, I pray we make it to the final and lift the trophy to prove to Nigerians that we are a team to reckon with.
I must commend my players and the coaching crew for the wonderful work they have done so far,” Atete stated.
0 Comments