2013 Fed Cup: Wolves’ Eagles Trio Targets Pillars Fall
Nigeria Glo Premier League club Warri Wolves has confirmed their Federation Cup campaign will be in their full strength with the return the three Nigeria internationals ahead of their tie with the Pyramid of Kano, kano Pillars on Wednesday.
Warri Wolves trio of Azubuike Egwueke, Joseph Osadaiye and Oghenekaro Etebo who were part of the home based Eagles that secured Nigeria her first African Nations Championship(CHAN) competition will all be available for the club’s crunch Federation Cup quarter final tie with league reigning champions, Kano Pillars in Ilorin on Wednesday.
The Seasiders had never made it beyond the Round of 16 but they surpassed that in glowing fashion at the last stage with a 1-0 win over Niger Tornadoes in Akure.
The trio were in the home based Eagles’ squad that booked a place at next January African Nations Championship(CHAN) despite losing 0-2 to the Elephants of Cote d’Iviore in Abidjan. They advanced 4-3 on aggregate. It was Nigeria’s first appearance from three attempts since the competition started in 2009.
Confirming the presence of the three players at Ilorin, Etu said that Wolves are utilising all the strategies in their armoury to ensure that Pillars are beaten in the last 8 of the oldest clubs’ cup competition in the land.
He said Wolves have a lot of respect for the Kano side but that they would be bouyed and motivated by the outcome of their last meeting which ended 2-1 in their favour at the Warri City Stadium in a Week 13 Nigeria Professional Football League(NPFL) clash.
“We now have all our three players in the camp confirm for the match against Kano Pillars. We have said we shall do everything possible to beat Pillars. We have been able to get the three on national assignment and they are already at Ilorin as I speak with you refreshed and energised ahead of the Wednesday clash.
“We respect Pillars but we cannot be intimidated by them. They are no doubt a good team but this is our year and our time. No one dare to disturb our roller coaster. We are prepared for them and they shall meet us very ready.”
Wolves made their epic progress in the Federation Cup by their qualification for the quarter final after a 1-0 victory over Niger Tornadoes at Akure.
They are no stranger to Ilorin turf having beaten Spotlight of Katsina 1-0 in the Round of 32 at the same pitch through Musa Najare’s strike in the second half.
Pillars have won the competition when it was then addressed as Governor’s Cup in 1953 after beating Lagos Dynamos 2-1 in the final with 50 years without the national coveted trophy.