CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL: FLORÉNT IBENGUÉ WARNS VITA CLUB AHEAD OF SETIF CLASH
The first leg of the 18th CAF Champions League final kicks off this Sunday at the Tata Raphaël Stadium in Kinshasa, where AS Vita Club of DR Congo will host Entente Sétif of Algeria. Vita Club coach Florent Ibengué is under no illusions about the difficulty of the task ahead, warning that ES Sétif is a formidable opponent with a strong defense and dangerous attacking options.
“There is nothing else but to win the title. We’re not coming to play the final to watch the others, but to win it,” said Ibengué in an interview with Radio Okapi. “It will be very difficult already here in the first leg. They have a solid defensive base and two very fast attackers. They’ve proven their strength against Mazembe and before that against Sfax.”
The Congolese tactician emphasized the importance of mentality and discipline, noting that the final will be decided by the smallest of margins.
Ibengué is hoping for a strong home performance to set the tone ahead of the second leg in Algeria.
“At home, the opponent waits for you and doesn’t give you any space. It’s much more difficult to counter. Away, it’s the opposite. But we rely on our counterattacking talent and hard work,” he added.
He also called on the supporters to play their part, urging them to push the team throughout the full 90 minutes.
“Let them be there from start to finish, as they did against Kaiser Chiefs. Don’t wait for us to offer something. Push us to victory—let it be for themselves.”
With both teams hungry for continental glory, Sunday’s clash promises high tension and top-level football.
