Wednesday, 20 April 2016

Enyimba Through To CAF Champions League Group Stages On Penalties After Afelokhai's Heroics


Nigeria League champions and two time African champions Enyimba advanced to the group stages of the Champions League after a tension soaked second leg against Etoile du Sahel in Sousse.

The seven time Nigeria league champions threw away a three goal lead they built up in Port Harcourt from the first leg two weeks ago. The Tunisians were on the attack from the opening stages of the match, as they had a shot cleared off the line as they mounted sustained pressure on the Enyimba
goal. They eventually opened the scoring in the 43th minute after a free kick on the edge of the book wrong footed goalkeeper, Afelokhai.

The People's Elephant caved in the second half as they conceded two more goals to bring aggregate scores to 3-3 on the night. Enyimba could easily have lost the match in normal time, but still, they could have gone through without the need of penalties as Pyagbara missed a great chance to seal passage for Enyimba when he was played through on goal. It met the match went to penalties.

Mfon Udoh missed the opening penalty kick for Enyimba, but it was Enyimba's goalkeeper who was the hero of the night as he saved three penalties, including two kicks that would have sent the Tunisians through to the group stages.

It was left to Peter Onyekachi to score the decisive kick to sent Enyimba through to the group stages for the first time in over four years.

Paul Aigbogun's side would have to improve on their away form if they are to mount a successful campaign in this year's competition. Enyimba have now lost three matches on the road in the preliminary stages of
the competition. Such form might not see them advance beyond the group stages.

The draws for the group stages will take place on 24th May.

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