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Enyimba in
heartbreaking defeat
Nigeria's Enyimba conceded a last minute
goal to go down to a 3-2 defeat at the hands of hosts Al Hilal of
Sudan in a dramatic start to the group phase of this year's CAF
Champions League.
Ironically, the defeat of the two-time Champions League winners was
engineered by two Nigerians, with former Enyimba fullback Yusuf
Mohamed scoring against his old club, and then Ifeanyi Onigbo
grabbing a dramatic late winner.
Enyimba also had to play the last 30 minutes with 10 men after a red
card shown to defender Okey Odita, who now misses their next match
against Coton Sport of Cameroon.
Enyimba took the lead in the 35th minute after dominating the early
exchanges during which both sides had good chances to score.
A thrilling run through the middle by Stephen Worgu set up Cletus
Itodo for the opening goal, a simple put away that silenced a
vociferous home crowd.
But controversial Egyptian referee Ahmed Auda, who has recently
returned from suspension by CAF, handed the hosts a
fortuitous-looking penalty three minutes from the break when Odita
was adjudged to have brought down Ahmed Adel Ahmed.
From the resultant spot-kick, Haitham Mostafa scored and Odita
received a yellow card, which meant that when a flying tackle was
committed in the 62nd minute by the giant defender, the referee was
forced to send him off.
By this time, Al Hilal had gone 2-1 ahead after Mohamed squeezed
home a long range pile-driver against his former teammates, which he
celebrated with much gusto.
Enyimba gamely battled on and looked to have fought their way back
when Worgu converted a chance with just four minutes left, his 10th
goal of this year's Champions League.
But substitute Ifeanyi grabbed the last minute winner to give Al
Hilal the win. |
