Enyimba striker, Ifeanyi Ede has said his absence will not hurt the side's Glo Premier League Matchday 23 encounter at El-Kanemi Warriors on Sunday at the Maiduguri Township Stadium.
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The Super Eagles forward was given permission to rest upon arrival in Lagos after their hectic African Nations Championship (Chan) final qualifying fixture against the Elephants of Ivory Coast in Abidjan.
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Ede said his side have been brilliant in all their matches in his absence and will sure survive the Maiduguri-based side's onslaught on Sunday.
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"Not really, I know they need me in the squad to face El-Kanemi Warriors on Sunday but they've also been winning their games even in my absence so I'm confident my absence won't hurt them against El- Kanemi Warriors.
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"We have quality players who have held fort perfectly in my absence. I'm sure they'll do even better against El-Kanemi.
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"I won't be on the pitch with them on Sunday but I'll fervently be praying for them to come out of the duel with a good result.
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"Enyimba have shown class in recent matches something tells me the winning run will continue against El-Kanemi on Sunday," said the former Enugu Rangers lethal finisher to supersport.com.
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Ede said the coast is becoming brighter with every passing seconds for his side to make it a double in the ongoing football season.
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"I joined Enugu Rangers last season with the sole aim of winning trophies but we narrowly lost the. league shield to Kano Pillars.
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"I'm equally at Enyimba for same purpose and things are shaping very well for us to clinch the league title as well as the Federation Cup trophy, too.
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"I think we're on the right track towards achieving a double. We have a Federation Cup semifinal clash against Lobi Stars, the tie gives us a good opportunity to make it to the final and challenge for the title proper," he said.
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The People's Elephants are third on the 20-team elite league log on 35 points, four points behind leaders, Kano Pillars.
Of course just a player's absence should not affect a team because it simply means the team is weak! I totally agree with this big time.