Enyimba on Sunday (February 21) eliminated Rivers United from the 2020-21 CAF Confederation Cup in a heart-stopping penalty shootout after two rounds in which each side won, 1-0.
‘The People’s Elephant’ beat the ‘Pride of Rivers’ 5-4 on penalties after scores on aggregate stood at 1-1.
Enyimba had won the first leg in Aba on February 14, 1-0, thanks to a Cyril Olisema goal. Rivers United, however, levelled matters on aggregate on Sunday when they defeated the Aba club 1-0 at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt. The levelled scre forcing a tie-break and the game went to penalties.
Earlier, Fortune Omoniwari had netted the game’s only goal following impressive work by Malachi Ohawume. There was to be no more scoring during a tense second half, so the lottery of penalties was required to decide the winners of the contest.
In the shootout, goalkeeper Noble John was the hero for Enyimba, saving shots from Kunle Odunlami and Israel Emmanuel before coolly slotting past the United shot-stopper, Theophilus Afelokhai. The win sparked furious celebrations in the Enyimba camp.
A crestfallen head coach of Rivers United, Stanley Eguma praised his charges ‘for their valiant effort’ as he reflected on what might have been.
“We were the better team today (on Sunday),” Eguma told SPNAfricaNews. “We dominated the game but unfortunately, we could not score more than one goal.
“When games go into penalties, there is really nothing anyone can do other than hope for lady luck to smile at you.
“I commend my players for their valiant effort today and we will now concentrate on winning the League and AITEO Cup.”
An emotional Enyimba coach, Fatain Osho also reflected on the win.
“I will tell you I am completely overcome by emotion,” Osho told NPFLTV. “We worked so hard for this and to have qualified for this group stage. A lot of commendation to the Rivers United team.
“They stretched us the way we expected and I always want to commend my players because they did a wonderful job. It is not easy playing on this type of pitch. This (Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium) is a beautiful Stadium but the pitch can be better than this.”
Story by Sammy Wejinya
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