CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: ENYIMBA, PILLARS SECURE VICTORY
Enyimba International kicked off their 2015 CAF Champions League in impressive fashion, beating Buffles du Borgou FC of Benin Republic 3-0 at the Enyimba International Stadium Aba on Sunday evening.
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| Enyimba FC before their game against Buffles |
Peter Onyekachi who was being watched by his Nigerian Under-23 coach Samson Siasia then got Enyimba's third, nodding home Chinonso Okonkwo's cross. While the score line suggested a trashing, the 3-0 score line was flattering on the visitors who in truth barely threatened.
The People's Elephant began better with Okonkwo flashing an early free-kick wide and Abalogu nodding over but when debutant Peter Onyekachi bulldozed his way down the left in the 7th minute, an unmarked Daniel Etor simply tapped into an empty goal to give Enyimba the lead.
The dream start felt like an easy win was on the cards but the capacity filled Enyimba stadium watched Chinonso Okonkwo, Andrew Abalogu and Peter Onyekachi all miss chances in that first half. The worse of which was Okonkwo's in the 36th minute who when one on one with the goalkeeper opted to pass to Onyekachi who was in an offside position.
The chances continued in the second half and so did the misses. Sokari's through pass found Okonkwo who fired straight at the goalkeeper. The rebound fell to Etor but he fired wide. Kadiri Ikhana would replace him with Anaezemba.
The new entrant had a chance to finally add the much desired second but his volley from 25 yards struck the woodwork. Again when Peter Onyekachi was felled in the box, Anaezemba fired the resulting penalty high and wide.
Buffles went close at the other end and almost equalized save for Idris Aloma's outstretched left leg clearing off the line with Chijioke Ejiogu beaten.
The chances continued in the second half and so did the misses. Sokari's through pass found Okonkwo who fired straight at the goalkeeper. The rebound fell to Etor but he fired wide. Kadiri Ikhana would replace him with Anaezemba.
The new entrant had a chance to finally add the much desired second but his volley from 25 yards struck the woodwork. Again when Peter Onyekachi was felled in the box, Anaezemba fired the resulting penalty high and wide.
Buffles went close at the other end and almost equalized save for Idris Aloma's outstretched left leg clearing off the line with Chijioke Ejiogu beaten.
With the minutes trickling down, redemption finally came. Bright Esieme crossed from the right into the Buffles penalty area and Sokari Kingsley nodded home. They pushed for more and they got another in similar fashion; Okonkwo crossing into the box and Peter nodding home.
They travel to Benin in two weeks with a comfortable cushion.
Another Nigerian side in action was Champions Kano Pillars who won away in South Sudan over Al Malaika FC.
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| Pillars players celebrating in a recent game |
Goals from Gambo Mohammed and Christian Obiozor secured the victory for the Nigerian Premier League champions.
Speaking after the game, Coach Okey Emordi, said, "it was a good game of football and the result i would say was satisfactory"
"It is just the first game of the competition, so it was nice seeing the players play as well as they did"
Saturday's victory is their first away win in the competition in four years, but Emordi says they are not getting carried away by the feat.
"We can't afford to get carried away and i have already said that to the players and they understand. It was only our first game and not even the second leg.
"We know we still have a long way to go because the target is to get to the group stage and continue to make progress"
Akin' Odunsi
@gr8akin
Additional Photos and report by Sam Nnaji
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