CAF Confederation Cup
NIGERIA’S BOLAJI SAKIN AIDS HOROYA TO OUST ENYIMBA FROM CONFEDERATION CUP
Nigerian born Bolaji Sakin and Boubacar Samassekou were on target as Horoya beat Nigerian outfit Enyimba 2-0 at the Stade 28 Septembre in Conakry on Sunday to progress to the semi-finals with a 3-1 aggregate victory.
And so, like Enugu Rangers, like Shooting Stars and the defunct Water Corporation of Ibadan, Nigerian clubs have failed to get results of the two top clubs of Guinea in Conakry – Hafia and Horoya.
For Enyimba, the first leg played in Aba last weekend ended 1-1 and the Guineans finished off the work at home with a comfortable win that earns them a date against Egyptian debutants Pyramids in the last four.
The goal brought the tie to life as far as attack was concerned, the two West African sides having battled for possession in the middle of the pack with little action in the final third.
The only other chance before the goal was another Sakin shot from range which went inches over.
The game gained some life after the goal with the home side being the more industrious upfront. Morlaye Sylla forced the Enyimba keeper to a brilliant save in the 38th minute when he drove in a thunderbolt from distance after dribbling through.
Sylla had another chance just two minutes this later, this time his bouncing header off a corner flying into the keeper’s arms.
Enyimba were forced into a tactical switch with three minutes left in the second half, Andrew Abalogu being thrown into the fray in place of Igho James.
The attacking change was meant to give Enyimba attacking impetus as they chose to go all out for an equalizer.
But, it was Horoya who created the better chances and on the hour mark, they should have gone two up, but Boniface Haba struck the ball high over the bar from close range after being beautifully teed up by Atta Agyei.
Six minutes later, Horoya were knocking on the door again, this time Agyei striking another blinder of a shot from range which came cracking under the bar.
The home side kept pushing and the Nigerian side was totally overwhelmed as they couldn’t even knit an effort at goal.
Nigerian forward Sakin broke the deadlock in the 27th minute with a sublime goal, curling the ball to the far post from the edge of the area after the Enyimba defense half halfheartedly cleared away a corner.
All their hopes were dashed seven minutes to time when defender Samassekou thumped in a header past the keeper after running to the edge of the six yard box to meet a corner curled in by Sylla.
With victory in sight and Enyimba looking far from a side capable of turning over the tie in seven minutes, Horoya carefully guarded the lead with Tafadzwa Kutinyu and Aristide Bance being introduced to run down the remaining minutes.
CAF Confederation Cup
‘Nzogbu Nzogbu’ Enyimba enyi as Enyimba limp into Confederation Cup Group stage!
It was not easy, but the end justified the means. Enyimba had to go through the lottery of penalty shoot-out to get into the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup on Sunday in Uyo after playing a barren draw with visiting Etoile Filante of Burkina Faso.
The first leg also ended goalless leading to penalty shoot-out as tie breaker. Enyimba won 3-2 on penalties.
CAF Confederation Cup
CAF Confederation Cup: Enyimba target victory after Solid Showing in Bamako
Enyimba FC head coach Yemi Olarenwaju has set his sights on securing a crucial victory in Sunday’s second leg of the CAF Confederation Cup tie against Étoile Filante de Ouagadougou.
His confidence is built on the goalless draw in the first leg in Bamako.
“The job is far from over, and we can’t afford to celebrate yet. The return leg in Uyo will be crucial,” Olarenwaju was quoted by the club’s website as saying.
“We’ll go back to the drawing board, work harder, and prepare for the challenge ahead.”
Olarenwaju praised his team’s tactical edge and discipline, which nullified the hosts’ attacking threats. “We had a clear game plan, and the players executed it perfectly. Our tactical discipline prevented Étoile Filante de Ouagadougou from creating any meaningful scoring opportunities.”
The Enyimba FC boss acknowledged the tough opposition but remains confident in his team’s ability to secure a win at home.
“Étoile Filante de Ouagadougou is a formidable opponent, but we have the quality and determination to get the job done in Uyo.”
As we look forward to the return leg, we urge all Enyimba FC fans to come out in their numbers and support the team at the Uyo Stadium. Let’s make our home advantage count and cheer the People’s Elephant to victory!
CAF Confederation Cup
Enyimba’s midfielder, Daga confident of Confederation Cup group stage ticket
Enyimba’s midfielder, Daniel Daga, has pledged to lead club to victory against Etoile Filante in the return leg of the CAF Confederation Cup second round on Sunday.
The People’s Elephant are looking to build on their impressive performance in the first leg, which ended in a goalless draw in Bamako, Mali. Despite creating several scoring opportunities, Enyimba were unable to find the back of the net.
However, Daga remains optimistic about their chances in the return leg having missed the first leg of the encounter due to a slight knock
“Our resolve is to win and advance to the group stages,” he stated confidently. “We understand that they are a difficult opponent, but we have just one task, which is to win, and that is exactly what we are going to do.”
A win for Enyimba FC would guarantee their spot in the group stages, a feat that would make them the only Nigerian team in the competition’s group phase.
“We know the importance of this match, and we’re ready to give it our all,” Daga added. “We want to make Nigeria proud and show that we’re a force to be reckoned with in African football.”
Head coach, Yemi Olarenwaju, has been fine-tuning his tactics, and the team is eager to execute their game plan.
“The first leg result gives us an advantage, but we won’t take anything for granted,” Olarenwaju said. “We’ll push for victory and secure our spot in the group stages.”
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