Kaduna Utd gear up for midfield war

The Nigerian club are bottom of Group A with two points from three matches. Asec are second on four points, same as Interclube of Angola, while Club Africain of Tunisia lead the standings with five points. Kaduna suffered their first loss in the group phase of the competition two weeks ago when they fell 2-1 […]

The Nigerian club are bottom of Group A with two points from three matches.

Asec are second on four points, same as Interclube of Angola, while Club Africain of Tunisia lead the standings with five points.

Kaduna suffered their first loss in the group phase of the competition two weeks ago when they fell 2-1 at Asec Mimosas of Cote d’Ivoire.

After a goalless draw in Abidjan, hosts Asec took the lead through Ndoua Patrick Kouakou in the 46th minute, before the visitors drew level 20 minutes courtesy of Mohammed Abdulmalik.

Mensah Brefo will grab the match winner in the 68th minute.

Kaduna United goalkeeper Richard Ochayi was outstanding to keep at bay the rampant Asec youngsters.

The Ivorian champions could also call on Nigeria youth international striker Olanrewaju Kayode for this reverse fixture after he missed the first game as he was away at the FIFAU20 World Cup in Colombia.

“We are condemned to win this match on Sunday,” declared former international and now Kaduna United team official, Dahiru Sadi.

“And this match will be won and lost in midfield. They outplayed us in the middle in the first game and we need to do same against them in front of our own fans.

“Their number 29 (Brefo) was very mobile and even scored their winning goal. We have to watch out for him.”

The home team are now expected to line up their first choice players in midfield – Benjamin Ishaya, Emmanuel Bivan, while Femi Balogun will most likely replace Samson Auta, who is ill.