ENYIMBA of Aba yesterday in Alexandria failed to hold on to their 1-0 goal lead from the first leg of their CAF Champions League tie against Smouha of Egypt, as they fell to two late goals to exit the competition.
The 2003 and 2004 champion’s game plan of stifling the midfield worked for the Nigerians until the 81st minute when referee Slim Belkhouas awarded what officials of the Aba side describe as a dubious penalty to the home team. El Egeizi converted the spot kick to bring the scores 1-1 on aggregate.
Shortly after the goal, Enyimba’s midfield conductor, Kingsley Sokari, was sent off for a second bookable offence, a situation that weakened the Nigerian team. That was the 88th minute and two minutes later, Ivoirian, Kouao Hermann, ensured that the Egyptians took the tie when he beat Femi Thomas for Smouha’s winning goal.
The home team, who played this match behind closed doors in Alexandria, will now meet AC Leopards of Congo in the last qualifying round of the CAF Champions League.
Yesterday’s defeat ensured that no Nigerian team remained in the Champions League, as Kano Pillars had on Saturday in Kano failed to cancel their 0-4 deficit against Moghreb Tetouan of Morocco. They won the return leg 2-1 to exit the competition on 2-5 aggregate.
While Enyimba and Pillars were bundled out of the CAF Champions League, Warri Wolves ensured that Nigeria still has representation in the continent when they held Dedebit of Ethiopia to a goalless draw in Addis Ababa yesterday.
The draw ensured that Warri Wolves advanced to the next round of the Orange CAF Confederation Cup having won the first leg in Warri 2-0.
Dedebit dominated the match and could have scored at least a goal but goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi made several reflex saves for his team.
The hosts roared on by their fans had four quick attempts in the opening eight minutes. But they were denied by Akpeyi.
Akpeyi made a good block in the 23rd minute as Dedebit came close to a stunning opening goal.
It was a scrappy first half for the visitors as their striker Gbolahan Salami was often left isolated upfront.
At the beginning of the second stanza, Nigerian-born striker, Samuel Sanumi, came on replacing Mesfin Kidane.
The forward looked sharp and was determined to prove a point to his countrymen.
In the 52nd minute, Dawit Fikadu’s goal was ruled out because of an earlier foul, which was spotted by 40-year-old match referee, Gomes Rossio from Guinea Bissau.
Wolves will now face DR Congo club, FC MK Etanchéité, who qualified at the expense of Ahli Shendi of Sudan.
