Kickoff (Cape Town)
31 August 2008
Nigerian striker Ikechukwu Kalu says he is confident his club AC Bellinzona will cause an upset against Turkish giants Galatasaray in the first knockout round of the Uefa Cup.
Kalu who joined the Swiss side from Italian club Sampdoria in the summer got one of his team's goals in their preliminary qualifier and is looking forward to the first leg at home.
"It is probably going to be the biggest game in the history of the club but we are looking forward to it," Kalu told KickOffNigeria.com.
"Galatasaray are a big club in Europe but we are coming as the unknowns.
"The players are determined to show their stuff against one of Europe's biggest sides."
The former AC Milan, Sampdoria and Chiasso man is determined to put all his previous woes in Europe behind him as he chases glory with Bellinzona.
"I've had a tough time in Italy but Switzerland has been good to me in all ramifications," Kalu, who began his career at Jasper United in Nigeria, told KickOffNigeria.com.
"Personally I want to prove myself because playing in the group phase will be a major achievement not only for the club but Switzerland as a whole.
"Now we can't wait for the first leg before the biggest one away to them in Turkey," Kalu said.
The first-leg ties will be played on 18 September with the return legs taking place on 2 October.
The 40 teams that progress from this round will reach the group stage of the competition.
The final takes place on 20 May at the Sukru Saracoglu stadium, the home ground of Turkish club Fenerbahce.
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