Fidelis Ilechukwu: Plateau United not intimidated by Esperance pedigree

North African teams have dominated African football club competitions over the last decade and during this period, Nigerian teams have repeatedly fallen short when paired against them.

Plateau United FC technical adviser Fidelis Ilechukwu is aware of the task before his team as they prepare to face Tunisian side Esperance on Sunday October 9, 2022.

Ilechukwu in a chat with the clubs media unit acknowledged Esperance have a huge pedigree as three time winners of the CAF Champions League but insists Plateau United will not be intimidated by this pedigree.

Plateau United FC will host Esperance in the first leg of the second preliminary round tie on Sunday at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja by 4pm.

“We know it is going to be a tough game coming up against an experienced side with so many records in the CAF Champions League but we are very optimistic of our chances given the efforts we have put in to prepare the team,” Ilechukwu said.

For the Plateau United FC gaffer, it’s football and anything can happen. Ilechukwu went on to assure Plateau United FC will work hard to get a positive result against Esperance .

A convincing first leg result will be key for Plateau United FC in their bid to reach the group stages of the CAF Champions League for the first time.

The Peace boys have tried unsuccessfully to get into the money spinning group stage on three occasions in the last five years.

In 2022, the opposition is Esperance. The aggregate winner over two legs will progress to the Group stage .

To reach the second preliminary round, Plateau United FC who finished behind Champions Rivers United FC in the 2021/2022 NPFL season, topped Gabonesse side ASO Mandji in the first round.

With a target of rallying enough support for Coach Ilechukwu and his charges, the club has announced that the MKO Abiola Stadium Abuja will have free access for fans on Sunday.