Samba FC eye Fed Cup semis
Samba vs Canaan United
Enyimba head 'Group of Death'
Non-league Samba FC of Enugu said they hope to reach the last
four of this year’s Federation Cup.
Samba coach Kingsley Nnam expressed confidence that unfancied team have set themselves a top target despite finding themselves a very tough group that has Enyimba, Warri Wolves and Lobi Stars in Bauchi.
Samba eliminated Canaan United F.C of Calabar 1-0 win in Katsina-Ala in the round of 32.
“How do you mean we are in a tough group with these teams you have mentioned? This is our season to make a name for ourselves as was the case with F.C Arugo some years back,” boasted Nnam.
“We fear no foe. It will be 11 players against 11 players on the pitch and with luck on our side, we will pick one of the two tickets from the group and from there anything is very possible.
“But our realistic target remains a place in the semi-finals.”
Samba have produced players like John Nnam, Ugwu Uwadiegwu, Okechukwu Uchebo, Ejike Uzoenyi, among others.
“Having groomed such players to hit limelight, I trust the character of these current players to make a name for themselves with superlative show in the group stage of the competition,” said Nnam.
“Don’t forget that a non league side played in the final of the French cup this year and we are drawing our inspiration from that performance.”
Newly promoted El Kanemi Warriors told MTNFootball.com that they also aim to go past Group B, which is based in Lagos and houses NPL title chaser Kano Pillars, Kwara United and relegated NNL side Crown FC.
El Kanemi chairman, Mohammed Zana, said they will do their best to move to the next stage of the competition even though it will not be easy.
“The group is okay, all the teams at this level of the competition want to get through from the group, same with us,” he said.
“I am sure we have all it takes to advance beyond group stage. We will take the games as they come.”
Group C, which has NPL leaders Enugu Rangers, Sharks, Prime FC and giant killers Dynamite Force, will take centre stage in Lokoja.
The Garden city of Port Harcourt will host Group D, which has holders Heartland, Gombe United, 1999 winners Plateau United and newly promoted team Nasarawa United.
Heartland striker Kabiru Umar said they wish to retain the trophy last year by beating regional rivals Enyimba.
“Those teams in our group are not bad and they all want to qualify from the group, but we will do our best in all the games to qualify from the group because we want to retain the trophy,” he said.
The cup final will be staged in Lagos in August.
Samba coach Kingsley Nnam expressed confidence that unfancied team have set themselves a top target despite finding themselves a very tough group that has Enyimba, Warri Wolves and Lobi Stars in Bauchi.
Samba eliminated Canaan United F.C of Calabar 1-0 win in Katsina-Ala in the round of 32.
“How do you mean we are in a tough group with these teams you have mentioned? This is our season to make a name for ourselves as was the case with F.C Arugo some years back,” boasted Nnam.
“We fear no foe. It will be 11 players against 11 players on the pitch and with luck on our side, we will pick one of the two tickets from the group and from there anything is very possible.
“But our realistic target remains a place in the semi-finals.”
Samba have produced players like John Nnam, Ugwu Uwadiegwu, Okechukwu Uchebo, Ejike Uzoenyi, among others.
“Having groomed such players to hit limelight, I trust the character of these current players to make a name for themselves with superlative show in the group stage of the competition,” said Nnam.
“Don’t forget that a non league side played in the final of the French cup this year and we are drawing our inspiration from that performance.”
Newly promoted El Kanemi Warriors told MTNFootball.com that they also aim to go past Group B, which is based in Lagos and houses NPL title chaser Kano Pillars, Kwara United and relegated NNL side Crown FC.
El Kanemi chairman, Mohammed Zana, said they will do their best to move to the next stage of the competition even though it will not be easy.
“The group is okay, all the teams at this level of the competition want to get through from the group, same with us,” he said.
“I am sure we have all it takes to advance beyond group stage. We will take the games as they come.”
Group C, which has NPL leaders Enugu Rangers, Sharks, Prime FC and giant killers Dynamite Force, will take centre stage in Lokoja.
The Garden city of Port Harcourt will host Group D, which has holders Heartland, Gombe United, 1999 winners Plateau United and newly promoted team Nasarawa United.
Heartland striker Kabiru Umar said they wish to retain the trophy last year by beating regional rivals Enyimba.
“Those teams in our group are not bad and they all want to qualify from the group, but we will do our best in all the games to qualify from the group because we want to retain the trophy,” he said.
The cup final will be staged in Lagos in August.
{message}