Odeyemi, Aliko eye Fed Cup final berth with Tornadoes
Niger Tornadoes striker, Ebenezer Odeyemi is confident of victory over defending champions FC IfeanyiUbah in today’s Federation Cup semi-final match in Lokoja. The ‘Ikon Allah’ boys will lock horns with the ‘Nnewi millionaires’at the Confluence stadium Lokoja in the first leg while Sunshine Stars welcome Akwa United in the other semi-final match.
Niger Tornadoes defeated league winners Plateau United 4-2 on aggregate to set up the semi-final clash against Cup holders FC IfeanyiUbah.
Speaking to Daily Trust on Saturday, Odeyemi who has scored two goals in the Federation Cup said Tornadoes are highly motivated ahead of the crucial encounter.
He said the players and coaches of Tornadoes have resolved to win the first leg convincingly to make the return leg in Nnewi a formality.
Odeyemi however said it won’t be easy getting victory against the defending champions whose only hope of playing continental football next year is the Federation Cup.
He said “It is an important match and we are ready for our opponents. We respect them as the defending champions but we are not intimidated.
“If we can eliminate the reigning NPFL champions from the competition, it means we have something to offer. We have all resolved to win convincingly against FC IfeanyiUbah on Saturday (today) to make things easy for us in the return leg.
“Personally, I want to experience the atmosphere in the finals of this prestigious competition so I will give my best performance, if given the opportunity to play.”
Captain of the team, Mustapha Aliko is also eying a clean sheet against FC IfeanyiUbah to help his side reach their first Federation Cup finals.
“We are battle ready. I am praying for a clean sheet to keep my team in the competition. This is an important match so we are going to give our best in order to win,” he said.