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Last Updated: Friday, 10 December, 2004, 19:40 GMT
Enyimba spurred on by history
Skeme Ezenwa
Skeme Ezenwa's Enyimba are trailing 2-1 from the first leg

Enyimba coach Okey Emordi hopes a potential place in the history books will inspire his team to success in the final of this year's African Champions League.

The Nigerians, who go into Sunday's final in Abuja trailing Etoile Sahel of Tunisia 2-1, are looking to become the first side in 36 years to retain Africa's premier club trophy.

TP Englebert Mazembe of the former Zaire, now the Democratic Republic of Congo, were the last team to achieve the feat in 1968.

Furthermore, ever since the Champions League replaced the old-style African Cup of Champions in 1997, no team has managed to reach the final after winning the trophy.

"I have been counselling the players to know that no team has ever come so far in defence of the cup," Emordi told BBC Sport.

"It is not easy to defend a crown so far."

The Enyimba coach also hopes that the high-profile nature of the game will inspire his players to glory in the Nigerian capital.

"We have heard that a lot of football scouts are here among the various Fifa and Caf officials, and if someone puts in a good performance on Sunday he may be chosen to go and play abroad," Emordi explained.

Last year, Enyimba became the first Nigerian side to ever win the Champions League and on Sunday they must score to have any chance of winning the match.

"We are trying to make our attack very active and encourage great mobility within the team," the Nigerian coach explained.

"I have been working on the players' shooting in training because we need goals."




SEE ALSO
Enyimba fans on the march
09 Dec 04 |  African
Etoile chief seeks destiny
10 Dec 04 |  African
Narrow win for Etoile
04 Dec 04 |  African
Opara seeks Enyimba's downfall
15 Nov 04 |  African



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