..As Kaduna Utd walk tight rope

Kaduna United, who are making their international debut, face Group A leaders Interclube of Angola in a dicey match whose outcome would have far reaching implications on the teams to qualify for the knockout stage of the competition. Kaduna are third on the table with five points, while Interclube occupy top spot with seven points. […]

Kaduna United, who are making their international debut, face Group A leaders Interclube of Angola in a dicey match whose outcome would have far reaching implications on the teams to qualify for the knockout stage of the competition.

Kaduna are third on the table with five points, while Interclube occupy top spot with seven points.

The other match in this tightly fought group will be between hosts Club Africain of Tunisia and Asec Mimosas of Cote d’Ivoire, which will also be played on Sunday.

Club Africain are second in the standings with five points and Asec languish at the foot of the table on four points.

“We all know the importance of this match as the result will go a long way to determine the two teams that will qualify from the group,” stressed Kaduna United Belgian coach Maurice Cooreman. The two teams played out a 1-1 draw in the first clash in July with Interclube forcing the draw courtesy of a last-gasp equaliser.

“Inexperience denied us all three points in the first game,” revealed Cooreman. “It was our first-ever international game and inexperience played a part. But since then, the team have improved.”

The Nigerian club have had to overcome a visa scare as several top stars as well as coach Cooreman almost failed to secure entry visas to Angola.

The team are now intact with midfielder Samson Auta missing after he was involved in a domestic accident that saw him being hospitalised for several days.

Leading scorer in the Nigeria Premier League Jude Aneke has been in fine form in front of goal even during the unannounced break of the domestic season.

Aneke, a powerful striker with an eye for goal, scored twice in a test game against a local army side to prepare Kaduna for the tough task ahead.

He will be complimented by the experienced midfielder Rabiu Baita, Emmanuel Bivan and skipper Papa Idris, who shone in the crucial home win over Asec two weeks ago.

For the final round of matches next weekend, Kaduna will welcome Club Africain, while Asec host Interclube