The superiority of two-time African champions Enyimba was affirmed on Sunday, as the People’s Elephant beat Energie FC 3-2 to secure passage to the next round of the CAF Confederation Cup.
Pegged back twice, Enyimba showed character to regain a late advantage in front of the enthusiastic support at the UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar.
Having won the first leg 11 days earlier by two unreplied goals, the People’s Elephant came into the second leg as string favorites to progress. Indeed, that prognosis proved justified inside the very first minute, as Abdulrahman Bashir seized on a handling error by Energie goalkeeper Sheyi Damilola to fire home the opener.
That goal effectively ended the tie as a contest, and that led to a drop in intensity in proceedings. It was the hosts who came closest to extending the lead, with Stanley Dimgba hitting the upright with an improvised effort from inside the penalty area, before Ikechukwu Ibenegbu flashed a shot narrowly wide.
The slightly tepid ambience was broken in the second period, as Energie drew level out of nothing. A low shot from long range looked harmless enough, before Jules Elegbede stuck out a leg to divert it beyond Ikechukwu Ezenwa.
However, five minutes later, Enyimba went ahead again. A bit of a scramble in the visitors’ penalty area saw the ball sit up nicely for Chinonso Okonkwo, and he made no mistake with his finish, firing into the bottom corner.
Stephen Chukwude then had a great chance to double the advantage, but poked his finish against the upright with the goal gaping.
That miss would almost prove costly late on, as again the Beninoise side attained parity out of the blue. A free kick awarded for a foul by Ikouwem Udoh was smacked home by Paul Odjouhassi in the 89th minute for 2-2.
There was still time, however, for further drama. Okonkwo dribbled his way into the box, and was brought down, leaving the referee with no hesitation as to the award of a penalty. The forward dusted himself off, and dispatched the penalty high into the net for the win.
FINAL: Enyimba (Bashir 1′, Okonkwo 67′, 90+2′) 3-2 Energie (Elegbede 62′, Odjouhassi 89′)
Enyimba Starting XI: Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Andrew Abalogu, Nelson Ogbonnaya, Isiaka Oladuntoye, Ikouwem Udoh, Dare Ojo, Ikechukwu Ibenegbu (Joseph Osadiaye 89′), Stanley Dimgba (Austin Oladapo 73′), Wasiu Alalade, Abdulrahman Bashir (Stephen Chukwude 6′), Chinonso Okonkwo.
Unused Substitutes: Fatau Dauda, Ernest Governor, Ugochukwu Leonard, Uche John.
Energie Starting XI: Sheyi Damilola, Sanni Guera, Olympe Gantin, Jean Ogouchi, Lawal Lanignan, Herman Kassa, Seni Atikou (Alain Hounsa 45′), Aime Santou, Gilbert Adangnande, Evode Oreko (Paul Odjouhassi 55′), Jules Elegbede.
Unused Substitutes: Junior Bello, Moise Tegaou, Patrick N’Da, Ariel Komi, Honore Dossa.
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