Daily Independent (Lagos)
George Akpayen
8 July 2009
Lagos — Head coach of Enyimba of Aba, Austin Eguavoen, has acknowledged that this Sunday's final of the Federation Cup (formerly the FA Cup) against fellow Premier League side, Sharks Football Club of Port Harcourt, would be a difficult game.
He told Daily Independent that he is looking forward to the game billed for Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.
Eguavoen, a former Super Eagles' coach, foresees a low-scoring match between the Peoples Elephant and its opponent, Sharks FC.
"I don't think anyone should expect a high-scoring game in the final of the Federation Cup. For Sharks to have got this far in the competition means that no one should expect that it would be a stroll for us. We also know that they (Sharks) also know that it would not be easy because we want to win something this season,' he said.
Eguavoen, who assumed the role of head coach at the Aba club last year, after Belgian coach, Maurice Cooreman left, declared that the encounter is Enyimba's chance of winning silverware after two seasons without a trophy.
Enyimba won its first and only FA Cup in 2005, the same year it also won its fourth Premier League title.
The former Nigeria international is keen to end the trophy drought that has hit Enyimba in the past two years when it won the league title.
Eguavoen also expressed respect for his counterpart at Sharks FC, Kadiri Ikhana, and is also wary of Ikhana's knowledge of Enyimba, having handled the side in the past.
"Ikhana is one of the best coaches in the country because of his achievements. Don't forget he was a former coach of Enyimba and helped the club to win the league and the CAF Champions League. And he has quite an intimidating record as a coach when you look at the clubs he has handled in the past, as well as what he has achieved at those clubs. I have great respect for him, and I will be looking forward to meeting him on Sunday,' Eguavoen said.
Ikhana, however, had few words to say, as he deflected Eguavoen's praise, and rather prefer to concentrate on the task of leading his team to a successful outing on Sunday.
He also recalled that Sharks FC is the only club he has handled without winning a trophy, saying he is determined to change that, come Sunday.
"I have handled several clubs and Sharks is one club that I am yet to win a trophy with. This is an opportunity for us to win something. Eguavoen is a decent man and I am quite happy that he rates me so high,' Ikhana remarked.
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