- Emerge joint Group C leaders with CARA of Congo
Nigeria’s representatives, Enyimba International Football Club of Aba dusted Djoliba Athletic Club of Mali 1-0 to move atop Group C as joint leaders with CARA Brazzaville of Congo in their CAF Confederation Cup Match day 5 encounter in Bamako.
Played at the Modibo Keita Stadium in Bamako, the hard-fought match saw Farouk Mohammed scoring from the penalty spot to grab all three points for the peoples’ Elephants.
The Malians kick-off the encounter on a high note and dominated early possession as they went in search of the opener. However, they were effectively curtailed by the Nigerian side’s defence line marshalled by goalkeeper Theophilus Afelokhai.
Against all odds, the Aba-based team was quite inspiring in absorbing the pressure to keep the Malians at bay. However, proceedings remained scoreless in the tightly contested first forty-five minutes without any special moment of brilliance.
When hostilities resumed in the second half, the hosts were on the front foot, pushing on to break the deadlock. Their efforts met a brick wall in keeper Afelokhai, who was impressive on the night with his imposing man-of-the-match showing.
And just when it looked like the match was heading for a barren score line, luck smiled on the visitors as the referee spotted an infringement in Djoliba’s vital area and duly awarded Enyimba a penalty in the 90th minute.
Mohammed calmly stepped forward and neatly buried the ball from the spot to hand the Enyimba a much-needed away victory.
The victory now put the two-time CAF champions League winners as joint table toppers in Group C with Congolese side, CARA Brazzaville. Both teams have so far amassed nine points, with the Central Africans only ahead of the Nigerian representatives on goal difference.
Williamsville AC of Cote d’ Ivoire who lost 1-3 to CARA Brazzaville earlier on Sunday and Djoliba are on seven and four points respectively.
Enyimba next take on CARA Brazzaville in a crucial last group game at the newly renovated Aba Township Stadium on August 28, 2018. A win in that encounter will guarantee the Aba Elephants a place in the knock out stage of the competition. – With agency reports
