Smouha coach Helmy Toulan insists Sunday’s 0-1 loss to Enyimba is not a bad result.
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The “Blue Wave” lost narrowly to the People’s Elephants who struck via Raphael Boumsong in the 56th minute of the first leg, first round Caf Champions League contest.
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Toulan said he prosecuted Sunday’s game with reserve players as he was forced to make do without the services of no less than ten of his first team players.
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“I am satisfied because I did not play this game with ten of my first team players.
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“I am talking about extremely outstanding players who we left behind in Cairo.
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“This game against Enyimba was prosecuted by reserve players.
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“Some of the players in question are injured. The others have to serve in the military in Egypt,” Toulan told theinfostride.com
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The Smouha coach then identified two Enyimba players as “truly special” adding that his charges will seek to nullify the threat they pose ahead of the return leg in Egypt.
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“(Kingsley Sokari) and (Etor Daniel) are special players. We have to watch them in the second leg.
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“I had to play a very defensive formation because like I told you, I missed the services of about ten of my first team players for this game.
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“We missed a good chance in the first half to score and two chances in the second half.
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“Smouha will win in the second leg, Insha Allah (by the grace of God),” he said.
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The second leg will be played at the 19,676 capacity Alexandria stadium on the weekend of April 3-5.
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