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Finidi George's replacement Yemi Olanrewaju lauds his team for clinching CAFCC ticket.
Enyimba coach Olanrewaju Yemi Daniel commended his team for their impressive effort in the final game of the season to secure Continental football.
Yemi, 32, was the assistant coach of the People's Elephant at the start of the season. However, following the resignation of Finidi George to take the Super Eagles job, the former midfielder assumed the head coach position.
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Enyimba make Confederations Cup
Olanrewaju won his first two games in charge, beating Abia Warriors and Rivers United. However, failing to pick up a win in the three games after the successive victories, including a defeat to eventual champions Enugu Rangers, ruled them out of the title race.
They had continental football to play for in the final game of the season, a direct shootout against Plateau United, who were a mere two points behind and could pip them to a Confederations Cup spot with a victory.
Olarenwaju’s charges stepped up to the occasion and beat Plateau 2-0 to finish third and qualify for Africa’s club football second-tier competition.
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What Olarenwaju said
Proud of his boys for ending the rut in the crucial game of the season, Olarenwaju talked reporters through how he roused them to get the needed victory.
“There was a lot of anxiety, so in the second half, I had to talk to the boys,” Olanrewaju said, per Brilla.
“Anxiety weighs a man down, and we needed to stay calm. After the Rangers game, we knew we were not going to win the league, which affected our performance in the last two games.
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“It was difficult to motivate the guys. I had to bring a psychologist from Lagos to talk to them. I told the players, ‘People have been here since two o’clock in the sun to watch us. We can’t afford to let them down.’ We played with everything we had to make the fans happy, and eventually, we won 2-0.”
“Today, everyone is happy, and I’m glad we could deliver this win for the old fans.”
Although Enyimba could not defend their title, they would play continental football for the second consecutive season.
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