Warri Wolves Football Club would present a true first team in Wednesday’s Federation Cup Round of 16 game in Ilorin against Kano Pillars as the club have home-based Super Eagles stars Azubuike Egwueke, Joseph Osadaiye and Oghenekaro Etebo available for the cracker.
The Wolves 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 have already eclipsed their best display thus far in the history of 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. They are yet to lift the shield for 50 years running now.
