Warri Wolves Team

Sporting Da Praia Cruz FC of Sao Tome and Principe on Sunday in Warri failed to turn up against Warri Wolves Football Club in the 2016 CAF Champions League.

No reason was given for the failure of the club to appear for the first round first leg game match scheduled for the Warri Township Stadium.

Chairman of Warri Wolves FC, Moses Etu, later told newsmen his club would await the decision of the organisers, the Confederation of African Football (CAF), on the match.

“We don’t need to go for the return leg game according to CAF rules. However, we are waiting for CAF’s position on the development.

“But while awaiting CAF’s decision, our focus is now shifted to our next opponents which is El Merreikh of Sudan.

“And our players will need to work hard against the Sudanese side because they have been in this competition for a long time.

“I have some of their video tapes, which I will give to my players to understudy, because El-Merreikh are a formidable side.’’

Etu, however, expressed displeasure at the failure of the Sao Tome and Principe side to appear for the match.

He said the match would have been a good test for his newly-signed players.

“This is why we decided to invite Rangers Internat9onal FC of Enugu for a friendly match to make up for our teeming fans’ disappointment, when it was obvious that our opponents were not coming.’’

In his own reaction to the development, the Chairman of Delta Sports Commission, Tony Okowa, said he had been very sure of victory against Sporting Da Praia Cruz FC.

“I would not have expected anything short of victory against the Sporting Da Praia Cruz today. But, all the same, we thank God.’’

Also speaking, the captain of the Warri Wolves side, Osai Uche, expressed disappointment at the development, saying he and his colleagues were ready to perform excellently in match.

“Our spirit for this tournament is high and our focus right now is on our next opponents.’’

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the gates into the stadium were opened for free entry to spectators, and the stadium was almost half-filled with spectators