Abu Salim seek to maintain knockout spot chase as hapless SOAR visit

Abu Salim coach Chokri Khatoui has urged his side to stay patient and united when TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup whipping boys SOAR Guinea come calling on Sunday.

The Libyans occupy second spot in Group B after claiming a shock win away to Sagrada Esperanca last time out. 

Three more points at home this weekend would strengthen Abu Salim's chances of joining runaway group leaders Zamalek in the knockout phase.

And Khatoui insisted his motivated squad were ready to take "a step towards qualification" by seeing off the division's bottom side.

"We must be patient again and approach it as we did the last match," the coach stressed, highlighting the need for discipline.

Abu Salim showed steely resolve to frustrate and ultimately floor Sagrada on their own patch a fortnight ago.

And striker Ayoub Ammar revealed that morale-boosting triumph has the whole camp believing they can upset the odds once more on Sunday. 

"The win increased our motivation," Ammar noted. "We believe in our ability to surpass ourselves again."

The hosts will surely not get a better chance to return to winning ways with Guinea's SOAR still point-less after two games.

But Khatoui knows his side must stay humble and graft for all three points to keep the heat on Group B pace-setters Zamalek.

Do that and Abu Salim can start dreaming of TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup last eight qualification heading into their final two pool matches after this weekend.