Samartex not scared of Raja – Coach Amadu

• Coach Nurudeen Amadu

The Head Coach of Samartex FC, Nurudeen Amadu, says the club is not scared of Moroccan side, Raja Casablanca, the side they face in the second round of the preliminary stage of the ongoing CAF Champions League in September.

Coach Amadu said this after guiding his side to a 2-0 aggregate victory over Cameroonian champions, Victoria United, to set a date with the three-time Champions League winners.

Raja edged Nigerien outfit, Association Sportive de la GardeNationaleNigérienne (AS GNN), 7-1 on aggregate.

In his post-match press conference, Coach Amadu attributed Samartex’s slimgoal margin victory to profligacy in front of goal.

“We should have killed the game in the first half where we played very well and created many chances; we were wasteful. If we had buried at least three of the numerous chances that came our way that would have ended it.”

Responding to a question on the danger playing Raja Casablanca would expose them to, Coach Nurudeen Amadu stated that the score line does not scare him and his side.

“Raja Casablanca scoring seven goals cannot intimidate

us; this is football and anything can happen. We know that it is going to be a very tough game but we’re ready for that task.”

For him, there is nothing impossible in football, and with the right attitude and mentality, beating Raja was possible.

“We just have to be at our best and correct our mistakes from this game and execute the corrections in our next game.”

He stated that the two games against the Cameroonians were tough, especially last Sunday’s second leg.

“They came in as wounded lions and very strong to see if they can turn things around but it did not happen. We were very tactical in our approach, and that helped us.”

BY RAYMOND ACKUMEY